The video opens with the description of a tanker accident but then puts this cause of
oil spills into perspective by comparing the statistics of oil spilled from tanker
accidents with other inputs into the sea, including natural seepage and municipal
waste. The different types of oil are then explained and the consequences of their
spillage discussed. Using live action from real spills and exercises it is shown how
aircraft can be used to locate a spill and direct clean-up operations at sea.
The video also shows how the quantities of oil can be assessed at sea and on shore.
The quantity of oil does not necessarily reflect the severity of an incident as it often
depends on the type of coastline and the sensitive resources that the oil pollutes.
The video concludes by stressing the importance of contingency planning and
training.
This video opens with a scene showing an improved boom being constructed from
indigenous materials. It is explained that one of the fundamental approaches to oil
spill response is to contain the oil for subsequent recovery or to deflect it away from
sensitive areas. Swift action is recommended in the event of an oil spill at sea in
order to try and contain the oil before it has a chance to spread. Several types of
purpose made booms are shown being deployed both offshore and in coastal waters
and the film points out that the limitations of booms caused by winds, waves and
currents are seldom appreciated.
The use of asorbents and skimmers for the recovery of oil contained within booms
or trapped on shore-lines are covered, including their advantages and
disadvantages. Live action from real spills and trials demonstrates how booms and
skimmers can be used in combination at sea with multiple and single vessel
configuration or on the shore-line.
Different application techniques using aircraft and vessels are described and
compared including where dispersants should or should not be used. Nozzle types
and the modification and maintenance of equipment are also described, together
with practical advice on how to apply the dispersant in different situations. The film
suggests that the application of dispersants from the air, shore or sea, if carefully
controlled in the correct conditions and situations, can be an effective way of
protecting the environment, especially when containment and recovery is
impracticable. It describes how dispersants work to enhance natural dispersion by
breaking the oil into smaller droplets and explains how this is aided by agitation
following application.
This video looks at the consequences of an oil spill reaching the shore and some of
the ways of dealing with it. It reviews the various clean-up procedures for heavy,
moderate and light contamination of different types of beach substrate.
It explains that good organization and supervision of a large labour force is essential
and recommends that allocation of duties and a chain of command is established
long before an emergency occurs. Good communications are vital.
A wide variety of different techniques for cleaning up of contaminated shore-lines
are shown, including mechanical, manual and chemical. It is explained that the
selection of the most appropriate techniques will depend mainly upon the nature of
the beach substrate and whether the level of contamination is severe, moderate or
light. In a major shore-line clean-up operation vast quantities of oily material will
need to be transported and dealt with. The importance of identifying temporary
storage sites is explained and the various options for the final disposal of such
material is reviewed.
The video concludes that a high level of organization is required for all these
operations and that timely preparation by way of contingency plans and training can
make the best use of limited resources.
It opens with the on-scene commander being woken at 04.00 hours to be notified of
a serious accident. We then see how he establishes an oil spill response operations
room and follows a standard notification and alerting procedure. Attention is given
to the possible impact on a neighbouring country and the assistance it may be able
to provide.
The story of the incident unfolds throughout the day. The potential seriousness of the
spill is evaluated and we see communication networks set up and surveillance and
control aircraft sent to the scene. The oil is quantified and response decisions taken.
Recovery vessels are despatched from a local port and aircraft and helicopters are
sent in advance to spray the oil with dispersant. On the second day we learn that
some of the oil has evaded the clean-up operation at sea and has drifted on to the
shore. Clean-up operations here involve shore deflection and containment booms
with recovery of the oil using skimmers as well as mechanical and manual
techniques. However, the oiling of a sensitive marsh presents the response team
with particularly difficult problems. The progress of the shore clean-up at this and
another site is shown throughout the following week until the decision to terminate
clean-up is given.
By following a hypothetical oil spill incident this video shows clearly some of the
problems and pressures that can be faced during a major oil spill and how a well
prepared contingency plan and pre-spill training, aid rapid decision making.
Code No 9918
Time: 20 Mins
Time: 20 Mins