Response to Marine Oil Spills, 2nd Edition

This publication is a comprehensive review of the problems posed by marine oil spills and the potential response measures. It will benefit anyone involved in training programmes, contingency planning or actual response to oil spills. The publication contains numerous case studies, including a section on the Deepwater Horizon incident, which are underpinned by helpful photographs and diagrams.

The primary objectives of a rapid response to oil spills are a return to normal activity as quickly as possible and minimisation of the risk of oil contaminating environmentally or aesthetically important areas.

Since its establishment in 1968, ITOPF has responded to several hundred shipping incidents worldwide providing objective technical advice on clean-up measures, environmental and economic effects, and compensation. ITOPF has also provided remote advice at numerous other incidents. The incidents have involved crude oil from tankers and bunker fuel, chemicals and bulk cargoes from all types of ship. Advice is also occasionally given about potential oil spills from other sources, including pipelines and offshore installations, and physical damage to coral reefs resulting from ship groundings.

The first-hand experience of ITOPF’s staff, gained through direct involvement in pollution incidents, is utilised during damage assessment, contingency planning and training assignments, as well as in the production of technical publications.

This is the ultimate reference aid for all ships that carry oil that may be involved in a pollution incident, whether it is from cargo oil or bunker fuel oil, for any jetty, pier, berth or quay that may have to deal with a marine pollution incident and for all other parties that may find themselves called to react to a pollution incident, such as the Coastguard, port authorities or State responders.