1. At-sea oil spill response options

3. Oil spill response options for use at sea Monitor and EvaluateMonitor and Evaluate Contain and recover at seaContain and recover at sea –Booms and skimmers Use oil spill dispersantsUse oil spill dispersants

4. Monitor and Evaluate Use surveillance aircraft to monitor oil slick movementUse surveillance aircraft to monitor oil slick movement Aircraft are equipped with:Aircraft are equipped with: –Cameras and video –SLAR (Side looking Airborne Radar) 20 km range either side of track –Infra-Red –Ultra-Violet

5. Surveillance aircraft

6. Monitor and Evaluate If oil is moving away from the shore there may be no need to respondIf oil is moving away from the shore there may be no need to respond –Small oil slicks are eventually broken up by the effects of wind and currents Aerial surveillance is used to find oil slicks or illegal oil discharges from shipsAerial surveillance is used to find oil slicks or illegal oil discharges from ships

7. Contain and recover at sea Booms can be used to contain oil around sourceBooms can be used to contain oil around source Booms can be towed by ships in various configurations to concentrate the spilled oil into smaller areaBooms can be towed by ships in various configurations to concentrate the spilled oil into smaller area Skimmers can then be used to collect the oilSkimmers can then be used to collect the oil

9. Various boom configurations “J-boom” configuration “U-boom” configuration

10. Difficulties with booming at sea Getting to the site of the spill quicklyGetting to the site of the spill quickly –Ships are relatively slow Wave and weather constraintsWave and weather constraints –Booming is not possible in rough seas Laws of hydrodynamicsLaws of hydrodynamics –Booms towed faster than approximately 0.7 knots will allow oil to pass under them Storing the recovered oil and waterStoring the recovered oil and water

11. Use oil spill dispersants Lockheed Electra carries 15 tonnes of dispersant

12. Cessna F406 1.5 tonnes dispersant

13. Dispersant spraying Dispersants can be sprayed from ships and aircraftDispersants can be sprayed from ships and aircraft Spraying dispersant from aircraft is the MCA’s preferred active oil spill response optionSpraying dispersant from aircraft is the MCA’s preferred active oil spill response option –Aircraft can get to anywhere in the UKPCZ quickly –Large areas of spilled oil can be sprayed rapidly

14. The purpose of using dispersants Oil spill dispersants are used to rapidly disperse the spilled oil into the sea before it drifts into shallow water or hits the shoreline where most damage occursOil spill dispersants are used to rapidly disperse the spilled oil into the sea before it drifts into shallow water or hits the shoreline where most damage occurs Dispersants have limits:Dispersants have limits: –They will not ‘work’ in some cases, –They are not an appropriate oil spill response method in other cases

15. The BENEFITS of dispersant use The successful use of oil spill dispersants will transfer spilled oil from the surface of the sea into the water column as fine oil dropletsThe successful use of oil spill dispersants will transfer spilled oil from the surface of the sea into the water column as fine oil droplets Most, but not all, of the dispersed oil will eventually be biodegraded by naturally occurring organismsMost, but not all, of the dispersed oil will eventually be biodegraded by naturally occurring organisms Dispersant use can be more rapid, more effective and less costly than other optionsDispersant use can be more rapid, more effective and less costly than other options

16. The RISKS of dispersant use Marine organisms will be exposed to elevated concentrations of dispersed oilMarine organisms will be exposed to elevated concentrations of dispersed oil –The consequences depend on degree of exposure(dispersed oil concentration and exposure time) and species affected –There must be room (water volume) and time for dilution of dispersed oil to low levels

17. Regulations about dispersants Dispersants cannot be sold or used in the UK unless they have first been tested for toxicity and effectivenessDispersants cannot be sold or used in the UK unless they have first been tested for toxicity and effectiveness DEFRA is licensing authority for England and acts on behalf of National Assembly for Wales. In Scotland, the FRS (Fisheries Research Service) act on behalf of SEERADDEFRA is licensing authority for England and acts on behalf of National Assembly for Wales. In Scotland, the FRS (Fisheries Research Service) act on behalf of SEERAD

18. Toxicity issues Modern dispersants are less toxic than the oil they are used to disperseModern dispersants are less toxic than the oil they are used to disperse Oil dispersed into the water column may cause toxic effects on some marine creaturesOil dispersed into the water column may cause toxic effects on some marine creatures –Risk is very small if water is more than a few metres deep and if there is good water exchange

19. Regulations about dispersant use It is illegal under FEPA85 to put chemicals into the sea anywhere in the UK EEZ. Exemptions are made for the use of oil spill dispersantsIt is illegal under FEPA85 to put chemicals into the sea anywhere in the UK EEZ. Exemptions are made for the use of oil spill dispersants DEFRA (or SEERAD – FRS) must be informed during oil spill contingency planning to ensure dispersant use will be approved. They will consult with other relevant organisationsDEFRA (or SEERAD – FRS) must be informed during oil spill contingency planning to ensure dispersant use will be approved. They will consult with other relevant organisations

20. Regulations about dispersant use DEFRA / SEERAD must give prior approval for every use of dispersant that occurs within 1 nautical mile of the 20 metre depth contourDEFRA / SEERAD must give prior approval for every use of dispersant that occurs within 1 nautical mile of the 20 metre depth contour All dispersant use must be documented and reported to DEFRA / SEERAD - FRSAll dispersant use must be documented and reported to DEFRA / SEERAD - FRS

21. Will dispersants work? Dispersant will disperse most crude oils for a period of timeDispersant will disperse most crude oils for a period of time –The spilled oil “weathers” and becomes resistant to the action of dispersants –This is known as the “window of opportunity” for dispersant use and depends on oil type and prevailing conditions Dispersant will not work on some Heavy Fuels Oils in calm conditionsDispersant will not work on some Heavy Fuels Oils in calm conditions

22. Summary on dispersants Modern oil spill dispersants can be very effective, but they do have limitsModern oil spill dispersants can be very effective, but they do have limits Dispersant toxicity is not an issue, but dispersed oil toxicity might beDispersant toxicity is not an issue, but dispersed oil toxicity might be Dispersants should be used rapidly, sprayed accurately and used with professional adviceDispersants should be used rapidly, sprayed accurately and used with professional advice