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New moves in US to limit oil spillage
Volume 2 2 / N u m b e r I l / N o v e m b e r 1991
laboratories could be improved by an ongoing national programme of interlaboratory comparisons to assess or standardize the techniques used by the laboratories. Such trials should be conducted by an independent coordinating body. The need to obtain lower detection limits was also noted. Clients submitting samples to laboratories for analysis also need to be aware of the necessity of including an appropriate proportion of quality control samples to verify the reliability of laboratory results. Bioaccumulation and other biomonitoring programmes must be designed to meet clearly defined study objectives. For example, data from studies which characterize spatial distributions of contaminants in aquatic systems (e.g. 'Musselwatch') may not be appropriately applied to assessing human health risks from consumption of seafood. A programme of regional and national biomonitoring should be established so that the results of intensive local studies can be put in context. The problem of finding suitable, uncontaminated 'reference' sites was also discussed. The need to quantify contaminant loads reaching aquatic environments through various pathways such a s sewage input, urban runoff and rivers was discussed. This data is required to assess the relative contributions of various inputs of contaminants to the marine environment in order to institute appropriate management options. The lack of effective communication between scientists and the public was identified as an area of concern and ways in which this could be improved were discussed. STEFICA A N D R I J A N I C A N T H O N Y M I S K I E WICZ
Brazilian Oil Spill Threat The Brazilian state oil company Petrobas launched a major oil spill clean-up operation in September after the tanker Theomana (50 000 t) was holed while loading oil in the Albacora field in the Campos Basin, 150 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The tanker had almost finished loading 300 000 barrels of crude oil at a single point mooring on the field when the hull was ruptured, leaving a 9 ft hole. Reports indicate that the only area damaged was a ballast tank, the vessel's other 17 tanks remaining intact. Petrobas were not willing to comment on reports that, at the time of the accident, the oil was being pumped into ballast tanks designed to hold water. The accident, the cause of which is not known, caused the ship to take a portside list and, at one time, it was feared the ship would sink. However, the Brazilian Navy and technicians managed to keep the stricken ship afloat, but not without the loss of considerable quantities of oil. A 4 km slick resulted, with local press reports of an area of the Campos Basin 15 km by 60 km being polluted. At the time of writing, there is considerable concern that the beaches of Buzios, Cabo Frio and Arraial de Cabo may be impacted.
New Moves in US to Limit Oil Spillage A saving of 3000 to 5000 t oil spillage per year could be made by the adoption of double hull tankers according to the US National Academy of Sciences (NSA). The savings would be made over the next 25 years by limiting damage to cargo tanks from grounding and collisions. According to Rear Admiral A. E. Henn of the US Coast Guard (USCG), this represents about half of the annual spillage from vessel accidents in US waters. In a report on the USCG's work in relation to the US Oil Pollution Act 1990 he says that while large spills of 30 t or more comprise less than 3% of all spill events, they cause nearly 95% of the pollution from oil spills. The USCG is reappraising spill response and is establishing a new national strike team at Port Dix, New Jersey to supplement its present force of two teams. A control centre is also being established to ensure that the teams are uniformly trained and equipped and to act as a co-ordinator. It will be called the National Strike Force Co-ordination Center. The USCG is also conducting a major study to look at ways in which tanker navigation can be improved as part of the drive to reduce risk of grounding or collision.
MSRC to Come into Operation The Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) formed earlier this year to provide a task force to combat major oil pollution accidents in the United States (see Mar. Pollut. Bull. 22, 106) is to come into provisional operation from next February. The aim is to allow a year in which the MSRC would operate on a test basis before being fully commissioned in February 1993, according to MSRC President, Vice-Admiral John CosteUo, speaking at the recent OPA Conference in Oslo. In addition to providing a strike force to tackle pollution incidents, MSRC would also maintain a comprehensive data bank and conduct an extensive research and development programme. The organization has recently ordered 16 response vessels which will be sited at strategic locations across the US. The vessels, costing some S188 m, would have offshore supply vessel hulls, but would be fully equipped with the latest pollution combat equipment. A further $28 m is being spent on skimmers and booms and $200 m is committed to purchase more equipment in the next six months. It is intended that the MSRC will have the capability to fight spills of up to 30 000 t of oil, at each of five locations, but could call on support from neighbouring locations in the event of a major accident. The MSRC is to be funded by the oil industry members of the Marine Preservation Association (MPA) and will respond only to spills involving MPA members or when otherwise requisitioned by the US Coast Guard. 531
laboratories could be improved by an ongoing national programme of interlaboratory comparisons to assess or standardize the techniques used by the laboratories. Such trials should be conducted by an independent coordinating body. The need to obtain lower detection limits was also noted. Clients submitting samples to laboratories for analysis also need to be aware of the necessity of including an appropriate proportion of quality control samples to verify the reliability of laboratory results. Bioaccumulation and other biomonitoring programmes must be designed to meet clearly defined study objectives. For example, data from studies which characterize spatial distributions of contaminants in aquatic systems (e.g. 'Musselwatch') may not be appropriately applied to assessing human health risks from consumption of seafood. A programme of regional and national biomonitoring should be established so that the results of intensive local studies can be put in context. The problem of finding suitable, uncontaminated 'reference' sites was also discussed. The need to quantify contaminant loads reaching aquatic environments through various pathways such a s sewage input, urban runoff and rivers was discussed. This data is required to assess the relative contributions of various inputs of contaminants to the marine environment in order to institute appropriate management options. The lack of effective communication between scientists and the public was identified as an area of concern and ways in which this could be improved were discussed. STEFICA A N D R I J A N I C A N T H O N Y M I S K I E WICZ
Brazilian Oil Spill Threat The Brazilian state oil company Petrobas launched a major oil spill clean-up operation in September after the tanker Theomana (50 000 t) was holed while loading oil in the Albacora field in the Campos Basin, 150 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The tanker had almost finished loading 300 000 barrels of crude oil at a single point mooring on the field when the hull was ruptured, leaving a 9 ft hole. Reports indicate that the only area damaged was a ballast tank, the vessel's other 17 tanks remaining intact. Petrobas were not willing to comment on reports that, at the time of the accident, the oil was being pumped into ballast tanks designed to hold water. The accident, the cause of which is not known, caused the ship to take a portside list and, at one time, it was feared the ship would sink. However, the Brazilian Navy and technicians managed to keep the stricken ship afloat, but not without the loss of considerable quantities of oil. A 4 km slick resulted, with local press reports of an area of the Campos Basin 15 km by 60 km being polluted. At the time of writing, there is considerable concern that the beaches of Buzios, Cabo Frio and Arraial de Cabo may be impacted.
New Moves in US to Limit Oil Spillage A saving of 3000 to 5000 t oil spillage per year could be made by the adoption of double hull tankers according to the US National Academy of Sciences (NSA). The savings would be made over the next 25 years by limiting damage to cargo tanks from grounding and collisions. According to Rear Admiral A. E. Henn of the US Coast Guard (USCG), this represents about half of the annual spillage from vessel accidents in US waters. In a report on the USCG's work in relation to the US Oil Pollution Act 1990 he says that while large spills of 30 t or more comprise less than 3% of all spill events, they cause nearly 95% of the pollution from oil spills. The USCG is reappraising spill response and is establishing a new national strike team at Port Dix, New Jersey to supplement its present force of two teams. A control centre is also being established to ensure that the teams are uniformly trained and equipped and to act as a co-ordinator. It will be called the National Strike Force Co-ordination Center. The USCG is also conducting a major study to look at ways in which tanker navigation can be improved as part of the drive to reduce risk of grounding or collision.
MSRC to Come into Operation The Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) formed earlier this year to provide a task force to combat major oil pollution accidents in the United States (see Mar. Pollut. Bull. 22, 106) is to come into provisional operation from next February. The aim is to allow a year in which the MSRC would operate on a test basis before being fully commissioned in February 1993, according to MSRC President, Vice-Admiral John CosteUo, speaking at the recent OPA Conference in Oslo. In addition to providing a strike force to tackle pollution incidents, MSRC would also maintain a comprehensive data bank and conduct an extensive research and development programme. The organization has recently ordered 16 response vessels which will be sited at strategic locations across the US. The vessels, costing some S188 m, would have offshore supply vessel hulls, but would be fully equipped with the latest pollution combat equipment. A further $28 m is being spent on skimmers and booms and $200 m is committed to purchase more equipment in the next six months. It is intended that the MSRC will have the capability to fight spills of up to 30 000 t of oil, at each of five locations, but could call on support from neighbouring locations in the event of a major accident. The MSRC is to be funded by the oil industry members of the Marine Preservation Association (MPA) and will respond only to spills involving MPA members or when otherwise requisitioned by the US Coast Guard. 531