Please click for more information on the following news articles:
- Fisheries Technical Information Paper (17 December 2004)
- Busy Period for ITOPF (16 December 2004)
- New staff (8 October 2004)
- International Seminar on Spill Preparedness, Response and Compensation, Madrid, 2nd December, 2004 (24 September 2004)
- SOUTHERN MOANA re-floated on 28 August without any oil spill (24 September 2004)
- 2004 ANNUAL REVIEW (24 September 2004)
- OFFICE MOVE (20 August 2004)
- EVERTON, Oil Spill, Oman, 22 March 2004 (23 June 2004)
- Staff Appointment (31 March 2004)
- NEW ITOPF HANDBOOK (25 March 2004)
- BOW MARINER, Explosion and Sinking, Norfolk, Virginia, USA, 28 February 2004 (16 March 2004)
- New Technical Adviser (12 March 2004)
- JEONG YANG Collision with SUNG HAE, Yeosu, South Korea, 23rd December 2003(5 February 2004)
- Staff changes at ITOPF (8 January 2004)
Fisheries Technical Information Paper
ITOPF has just published the third in its new series of Technical Information Papers (TIPs). "Oil Spill Effects on Fisheries" describes the effects of oil pollution on fishing and aquaculture and provides guidance on remedial measures. Single copies of the TIP are available free of charge from ITOPF (please email Terry Goodchild); multiple copies are charged at £1.00 reducing to 0.75p (excluding postage) for bulk orders. Copies can also be downloaded from the Publications page .
17 December 2004
Busy Period for ITOPF
ITOPF has been called to an unprecedented 9 spills within the space of 30 days, almost half the total number of cases for the year. The string of call-outs began with the tanker VICUNA, which suffered an explosion whilst discharging a cargo of methanol at Paranagua, Brazil on 15 November. This has been followed by 3 further tanker spills (GOOD HOPE and AL SAMIDOON in Egypt and ATHOS 1 in Delaware, USA), a spill from an FPSO in Canada and 4 incidents involving the loss of bunker fuel from non-tankers, namely the bulker SELENDANG AYU in Alaska, the general cargo vessel POLO M in Gotland, Sweden, the container vessel MSC ILONA in Hong Kong, and the reefer vessel JIN MAN HE off Fukuoka, Japan. Six of ITOPF's 11 Technical Advisers are currently out in the field.
16 December 2004
New staff
We have recently recruited two new Technical Support Co-ordinators - Keisha Huijer (pictured left) and Colleen O'Hagan. Keisha has a degree in Chemistry and an MSc in Marine Resource and Environmental Management. Before joining ITOPF she was responsible for research, data collection and statistical analysis for projects at the Institute of Development Studies and the Sustainable Economic Development Unit in Trinidad. Keisha also developed and maintained the client database at Fieldwork Education. Her role at ITOPF will include maintaining the tanker spills database and claims work.
Colleen O'Hagan has a degree in Geophysics and a Masters degree in Remote Sensing and Image Processing. She will be responsible for maintaining and developing the organisation's Geographical Information System and other project work.
8 October 2004
International Seminar on Spill Preparedness, Response and Compensation, Madrid, 2nd December, 2004
ITOPF will be holding its Annual General Meeting and Board Meeting in Madrid at the beginning of December 2004. These meetings will bring together senior representatives from the world's shipping and marine insurance industries. ITOPF is therefore taking the opportunity to organise a half-day Seminar in partnership with INTERTANKO in the afternoon of Thursday, 2nd December at the InterContinental Castellana Hotel, Paseo de la Castellena 49, 28046 Madrid.
The Seminar will address various topical issues related to preparing for and responding to accidental spills of oil and other substances from ships, as well as liability and compensation. Attendance will be open to representatives of central and local government, oil companies, shipping companies, P&I Club correspondents, law firms, salvage companies, oil spill clean-up companies, environmental groups and academic institutions. Selected press representation will also be encouraged. Presentations will be in the English language.
Attendance at the Seminar will be free of charge. Attendees will, however, be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel and hotel costs.
Although we are anxious to attract a large number of delegates, there will clearly be a maximum number that can be accommodated. We would therefore request that you complete the Seminar booking form and return it to Ms Terry Goodchild of ITOPF at the fax number shown as soon as possible in order to guarantee your place. Please note that no confirmation of receipt will be issued although nearer the date a final programme will be sent to all those who have registered. We would appreciate learning of any cancellations (by fax or email) well in advance of the Seminar so that we can allocate your place to another person.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Terry Goodchild at ITOPF (Tel: +44 20 7566 6999; Fax: +44 20 7566 6950; email: terrygoodchild@itopf.com)
24 September 2004
SOUTHERN MOANA re-floated on 28 August without any oil spill
The containership SOUTHERN MOANA (4,410 GT), Antigua flag, grounded on Futuna Island, on 27 July 2004 after experiencing bad weather. Futuna is a small Pacific island (French Territory) about 10 miles long with a native population of about 5,000. The vessel stranded on coralline rock, about 250 metres from the coast. At the time of the incident, there were about 95 tonnes of IFO 180, 40 tonnes of Marine Diesel Oil and 23 tonnes of lubricants on board.
The services of United Salvage (Australia) were contracted and resources arrived on site on 28 July. In addition to the necessary salvage equipment, oil boom and sorbents were mobilised in case of a spill during the re-floating operation.
Alexander Nicolau from ITOPF arrived on site on 03 August and assessed the spill risk. There were few resources sensitive to oil pollution with very little tourism and only recreational fishing but the coralline rock would have been extremely difficult to clean in case of an oil spill. Meetings were organised with the salvors and the French maritime and territorial authorities. The latter were represented by the commander of the French military vessel deployed on site and the governor (Délégué au Préfet) based in Futuna.
A contingency plan based on the site assessment and the risk analysis was prepared and agreed by all parties before the re-floating operation. Small teams were organised and prepared to respond in case of a spill. The French Navy with the vessel "LA MOQUEUSE" provided some coastal protection and the shoreline clean-up was to be the responsibility of the Public Works Department. As there was little equipment available on the island, the Skuld P&I Club arranged for shoreline clean-up equipment to be transported from Fiji on a local charter flight.
After partially unloading the deck cargo from the ship using helicopters, the salvors were able to re-float the casualty on 28 August without any oil being spilled. She was then towed to Suva (Fiji) for a hull survey and necessary repairs.
The whole process of salving the ship, including contingency planning in case of an oil spill, demonstrated the value of co-operation between all parties, leading to a successful outcome.
24 September 2004
2004 ANNUAL REVIEW
ITOPF has just published its latest Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 20 February 2004. If you would like to receive a copy please contact Terry Goodchild.
20 August 2004
OFFICE MOVE
ITOPF moved to new premises on 21 June. Our new contact details are:-
ITOPF Ltd,
1 Oliver's Yard
55 City Road
London
EC1Y 1HQ
Tel 020 7566 6999
Fax 020 7566 6950
The nearest tube stations are Old Street and Moorgate.
23 June 2004
EVERTON, Oil Spill, Oman, 22 March 2004
ITOPF was requested to attend on-site at an incident involving the tanker EVERTON and a fishing vessel, which collided some 40 miles off the southern coast of Oman in the early morning of 22 March. The EVERTON was en route from Kharg Island in the Arabian Gulf to Egypt, fully laden with some 80,000 tonnes of crude oil and carrying almost 3,000 tonnes of bunkers. The collision caused damage to one of her cargo tanks and set some of its contents (6,500 tonnes of Iranian Heavy Crude) ablaze. The crew abandoned ship. Though most were picked up by a passing US Navy vessel, one remains missing, presumed dead. The US vessel managed to control and extinguish the fire by evening. The fishing vessel left the scene immediately and its present whereabouts are uncertain.
A 4 nm oil slick around the casualty was reported immediately after the incident, some of which burned in the fire. During an overflight the following day, the slick was estimated at some 2nm in radius, but oil was reported to be continuing to leak from the damaged tank. Prevailing strong winds and waves have promoted evaporation and some natural dispersion may also have occurred due to the nature of the oil.
The EVERTON's owners engaged salvors (SMIT) to attend to the casualty. They repaired the damaged tank and have made preparations for a ship-to-ship transfer operation to remove the remaining cargo. There has been no further leakage from the vessel since 26 March. Tank soundings indicate that a total of some 420 tonnes of oil was lost following the collision.
During an overflight on 27 March, no significant accumulations of black oil or emulsion were found, but, due to extremely calm seas and light winds, areas of streaks and windrows of sheen could still be observed. Dispersant application remains the first line of response should an accident occur during STS transfer operations. Part of Oman's aerial dispersant spraying capacity has been mobilized closer to the site to allow for a fast reaction time.
Kathi Stanzel was on site for ITOPF.
31 March 2004
Staff Appointment
We have recently recruited Andrew Tucker as a new Technical Adviser. Andrew joins ITOPF from the UK Environment Agency where he worked as a Technical Team Leader in the fields of waste management, contaminated land and environmental protection. He has a degree in biology and a Masters degree in Environmental Science. Andrew's appointment brings the total number of staff available to respond to spills to eleven.
25 March 2004
NEW ITOPF HANDBOOK
ITOPF has just published its latest annual Handbook. First produced in 1997, the ITOPF Handbook contains a wealth of valuable information and guidance for those likely to be involved in spills of oil and chemicals from ships. It contains updated information on oil spill compensation, oil spill statistics and ITOPF staff, and includes sections on the fate and effects of oil spills, clean-up techniques and the organization of spill response and planning. Copies of the ITOPF Handbook are available free to ITOPF Members and Associates, as well as to closely related groups. Single copies are also available to others on request - contact Terry Goodchild.
16 March 2004
BOW MARINER, Explosion and Sinking, Norfolk, Virginia, USA, 28 February 2004
ITOPF was requested to attend the incident involving the BOW MARINER, a chemical tanker which exploded and sank some 50 miles off the coast of Virginia on 28 February. Three of the 27 crew members were found dead and a further 18 are still missing. The vessel was en route from New York to Houston carrying 11,000 tonnes of Crude Industrial Ethanol (CIE) when the incident occurred. She was also carrying 720 tonnes of Heavy Fuel Oil and 166 tonnes of diesel oil as bunker fuel.
ITOPF arrived on-site on 4 March and participated in an overflight the following day with NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and Polaris Applied Sciences, consultants appointed on behalf of the shipowner to deal with NRDA (natural resource damage assessment) issues. Oil was still visible at sea, but was considerably reduced from earlier observations, with the largest patches measuring some tens of centimeters in diameter. Over the wreck site, silver sheen containing windrows of emulsified brown oil extended about 300m x 15m. Oil was observed still to be leaking from the vessel, but at a very slow rate. The cargo of ethanol was not considered to be a major threat to the environment owing to its low toxicity and high solubility.
The MSRC (Marine Spill Response Corporation) oil spill response vessel was engaged by the US Coast Guard from 29 February until 5 March and collected about 7 tonnes of pure oil, which will be taken for recycling. No shoreline impact has occurred and no reports of oiled wildlife have been received.
ITOPF left the spill site on 10 March. Salvors have been appointed to remove the remaining cargo and oil. The pollution situation continues to be monitored and contingency arrangements are being put in place in the event of a major release of oil during recovery operations.
12 March 2004
New Technical Adviser
Mr Alexander Hunt joined ITOPF as a Technical Adviser at the beginning of February. Alex has a degree in marine biology and recently completed a Masters degree in Tropical Coastal Management at Newcastle University. He has previously worked on coastal habitat assessment projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico.
5 February 2004
JEONG YANG Collision with SUNG HAE, Yeosu, South Korea, 23rd December 2003
In the early hours of the 23rd December the chemical/oil carrier JEONG YANG (4061gt) and the oil tanker SUNG HAE (5914gt) collided shortly after the JEONG YANG left the LG-Caltex Terminal at Yeosu, South Korea. At the time of the incident the JEONG YANG was loaded with 6,500 tonnes of heated fuel oil (IFO 180), whilst the SUNG HAE was in ballast. The JEONG YANG sustained damage to two tanks and spilled an estimated 750 tonnes of cargo. Her remaining cargo was offloaded to coastal tankers on 24th December and she was later brought into dry dock for repairs.
The high pour point of the oil (30°C) resulted in it rapidly solidifying once it had been spilt in the cold sea water. By 25th December all of the oil remaining on the sea surface was solid and where confined was about 25cm thick.
Within a couple of hours of the incident, booms had been deployed around the vessel and in other parts of the terminal to catch oil on the flood tide. Whilst it was still liquid, two sweep arm skimming vessels were used to collect the oil and tow it to the booms where belt skimmers were used to remove the oil. Once solid, the oil was collected from within the booms using grab buckets and front loaders staged on barges. This operation was supported by local villagers manually scooping the oil into bags on their fishing vessels. Villagers were also employed to scrape oiled shells and seaweed from the piers and terminal infrastructure prior to the removal of residual oil stains using high pressure hot water washing.
Though the majority of the oil spilt was successfully confined around the LG-Caltex terminal, some oil also stranded along shorelines in the vicinity. The oiling was generally light and sporadic and took the form of large tar balls and pats. For the most part, it was easily removed by cleanup contractors and local villagers using manual techniques.
Booms were also deployed in front of water intakes to the local power station and steel plant. Though small tar pats and patches of floating debris were observed around the booms, no problems were reported by any of the operators.
Solid and liquid waste has been transported to local disposal facilities for incineration or reprocessing, where applicable.
There has been some impact on fisheries, but this has been limited due to the nature of the oil and its light distribution.
The cleanup operation is near completion and will be finished within the next week or so.
View some photographs from the incident.
8 January 2004
STAFF CHANGES at ITOPF
Dr Karen Purnell has been promoted to Technical Team Manager, filling the position left by Dr Tosh Moller who was appointed Managing Director in December. Karen has been with ITOPF since 1994 and has attended over 20 spills, including the SEA EMPRESS, PRESTIGE and TASMAN SPIRIT. She is a chartered chemist and previously worked as a Project Manager involved in nuclear/toxic waste management and environmental remediation.
Mr Fionn Molloy, an ITOPF Technical Support Co-ordinator since 1999, will leave ITOPF in the middle of January to take up a position with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). We wish him every success in this new role.
We are currently recruiting two new Technical Advisers to join ITOPF within the next couple of months.
5 January 2004