A PRESENTATION TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICES (NCOP) 24 OCTOBER 2007 BY MPATLISENG RAMAEMA CHIEF DIRECTOR: MARITIME TRANSPORT REGULATION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON OIL POLLUTION PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND CO-OPERATION, 1990

OUTLINE 1.INTRODUCTION 2.BACKGROUND 3.OIL POLLUTION EMERGENCY PLANS 4.OIL POLLUTION REPORTING PROCEDURES 5. ACTION ON RECEIVING AN OIL POLLUTION REPORT 6.NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SYSTEMS FOR PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE 7.INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION 8.STATE OF READINESS

Oil pollution incident refers to an occurrence or series of occurrences having the same origin, which results or may result in a discharge of oil and which poses or may pose a threat to the marine environment, or to the coastline or related interests of one or more States, and which requires emergency action or other immediate response INTRODUCTION

OPRC was adopted in an IMO Diplomatic Conference held in 1990 in London The purpose of the Convention is to ensure that Member States put adequate measures in place to be able to respond to oil pollution incidents and where applicable, enable States to co-operate in dealing with oil pollution incidents OPRC is a recognition of serious threat posed by oil pollution to marine environment BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND (cont…) It is also a proactive measure to ensure that damage to the environment is minimized during an incident Parties to the Convention undertake, individually or jointly, to take all appropriate measures to prepare for and respond to an oil pollution incident An important Convention for SA because: SA- a biologically diverse countries, ranking third in the world. Also has approximately 3000 km coastline that contributes enormously to the economy both in terms of ecotourism, fishing resources and property development and other wise.

BACKGROUND (cont…) For example, the value of the entire fishing industry, incorporating commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, is estimated to be R4.5 billion per annum Approximately tons of marine resources are harvested annually by South African fisherman South Africa is also located along one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, making it vulnerable to casualties and pollution incidents SA must always be prepared for marine casualties and oil pollution incidents

Each party shall ensure that ships flying its flag have onboard a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan consistent with guidelines developed by IMO Such a ship will while in a port be subjected to inspection by duly authorized officers for compliance This requirement will equally apply to operators of offshore units, sea ports and oil handling facilities OIL POLLUTION EMERGENCY PLANS

Each party shall: Require Masters in charge of ships or offshore units to report without delay any event involving discharge or probable discharge of oil to the nearest coastal state (ships) and coastal state where the offshore unit is located Instruct its maritime inspection vessels or aircraft to report any observed event at sea involving a discharge of oil or the presence of oil to the competent national authority or nearest coastal state OIL POLLUTION REPORTING PROCEDURES

Each party shall: Request the pilots of civil aircraft to report any observed event at sea involving a discharge of oil or presence of oil to the nearest coastal state OIL POLLUTION REPORTING PROCEDURES (cont…)

Upon receiving a pollution information report provided by other sources, the party: Shall assess the event to determine if it is an oil pollution incident Immediately inform all States whose interests are affected or likely to be affected by such an incident Provide details of its assessment, action taken or likely to be taken to deal with incident Provide further information as appropriate until response to incident is concluded ACTION ON RECEIVING AN OIL POLLUTION REPORT

Each party shall establish a national system for responding promptly and effectively to oil pollution incidents, including: The competent national authority with responsibilities for oil pollution preparedness, and response The national operational contact point responsible for receipt and transmission of oil pollution reports An authority entitled to act on behalf of the State to request assistance or decide to render assistance required NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SYSTEMS FOR PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

Each party shall establish a national system for responding promptly and effectively to oil pollution incidents, including: A national contingency plan for preparedness and response A minimum level of pre-positioned oil spill combating equipment, commensurate with the risk A programme of exercises for oil pollution response organizations and training of staff NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SYSTEMS FOR PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE (cont…)

Each party shall establish a national system for responding promptly and effectively to oil pollution incidents, including: Detailed plans and communication capabilities for responding to an oil spill incident A mechanism to co-ordinate the response to an oil spill incident NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SYSTEMS FOR PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE (cont…)

Parties are to co-operate and provide advisory services, technical support and equipment for the purpose of responding to an oil pollution incident, when the severity of such incident so requires upon request of any party affected or likely to be affected Subject to capability and availability of resources Parties are to take necessary administrative / legal measures to facilitate the arrival and utilization in and departure from its territory of ships, aircraft, and other modes of transport engaged in responding INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION

These measures should also apply equally to expeditious movement into, through and out of its territory of personnel, cargoes, materials and equipment OPRC make provision for technical co-operation to: Train personnel Ensure availability of technology, equipment Initiate joint research and development programmes Facilitate measures to prepare for incidents INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION (cont…)

SA partly compliant to OPRC by: Designation of SAMSA Designation of MRCC Completion of National Contingency Plan Availability of Stand by Tug STATE OF READINESS