Reporting Ship Sourced Pollution
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Educational resources and information
Prevention of Pollution from Ships
National Maritime Emergency Response Arrangements
AMSAs Role in Maritime Environmental Issues
Register of Local Fuel Oil Suppliers
Activities in States and the Northern Territory
National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil
Annual Report 1996-97
Victoria
Significant Incidents
Swanston Dock, Port of Melbourne
On 22 August 1996 a spill of what was believed to be heavy bunker fuel occurred in Swanston Dock. Boom was deployed to contain the oil and a Marco skimmer used to collect the oil. The Victorian Channels Authority, Melbourne Port Services Pty Ltd, Melbourne Port Corporation and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) were involved in the incident. Under the new arrangements now in place in Victoria the EPA investigated the incident but advised they were unable to identify the type of oil and also not able to identify the polluter.
Surfcoast between Torquay and Anglesea
On 1 January 1997 oil was reported offshore between Torquay and Anglesea. An aerial inspection identified oil offshore in small patches. On 2 January oil was reported on beaches and a beach clean up operation was put in place by Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) and Foreshore Committees of Management under the direction of the Victorian Channels Authority as lead agency. The Environment Protection Authority was involved in the taking of samples and in identifying waste disposal sites. Boom was deployed to protect the entrance to the Erskine River but oil did not impact that area. Beach inspections were carried out by officers of DNRE and the clean up was finalised on 4 January.
South Wharf, Port of Melbourne
At 2130 hours on 26 May 1997 oil was reported around the vessel Tricolor at 19 South Wharf. A marco skimmer and a quantity of absorbent boom was deployed over the following 36 hours following the departure of the vessel from the berth. The Environment Protection Authority investigated the spill and interviews were carried out on the vessel prior to departure. However, EPA reported they were unable to determine the source of the spill or the identity of the polluter. No legal action will be taken.
Local Training
Three oil spill response workshops were conducted by the Victorian Channels Authority in the Port Phillip Region during the year. A total of 53 representatives from Government, Local Government and industry attended these courses.
An operators course attended by 15 participants was conducted in the Westernport Region.
Equipment Acquisition
In addition to the equipment supplied under NATPLAN funding as indicated in the earlier section on Equipment, the following equipment was acquired using State funding:
Exercises
A joint Tier 1 exercise was held to test response arrangements at Long Island Point in Westernport Bay with the involvement of Esso Australia Ltd and Port of Hastings personnel.
A Tier 1 exercise was conducted by Mobil Oil Australia Ltd in Melbourne with involvement of AMOSC, Victorian Channels Authority and Melbourne Port Services Pty Ltd personnel to test boom deployment in Kororoit Creek.
New or Updated Contingency Plans
A major revision of the Victorian Marine Pollution Contingency Plan was undertaken during the course of the year under review, to take into account the recommendations contained in the report on Exercise George Bass. The significant change adopted in Victoria is the implementation of a formal incident control system of response management following extensive consultation with affected parties. The revised Victorian Marine Pollution Contingency Plan is due for release in September 1997. Resulting from the revision of the State Plan it is also necessary to fully revise the Regional Plans. During the year significant work was carried out on all existing Regional Plans and on the development of a Portland Regional Plan. The revision of these Plans also resulted from the need to implement the recommendations contained in the George Bass report.
Coastal Resource Atlas (CRA)
During the year two major coastal resource atlas projects were begun. National Plan funds were provided to undertake the third stage of the Surfcoast Atlas covering the coastline from Point Lonsdale to Cape Otway. The work for which funds were provided was completed in June 1997.
Esso Australia Ltd made a grant of $40,000 for the development of an atlas covering Corner Inlet. Significant progress was made on the Atlas during the year, with completion due by October 1997.
New South Wales
Significant Incidents
There were no major oil spills in New South Wales during the reporting period.
There were 131 minor marine pollution incidents reported. Of these, only six required a National Plan response.
Local Training
Newcastle Port Corporation held an Oil Spill Response Course from 7-8 May.
Sydney Ports Corporation conducted an in-house training program that consisted of 10 different modules of differing levels designed specifically for its work-group teams. These training modules are not available for personnel from other organisations.
Administrative Changes to State/NT Response Arrangements
The office of Marine Safety and Port Strategy was renamed the Office of Marine Administration on and from 1 January 1997.
Equipment Acquisition
In addition to the equipment supplied under NATPLAN funding as indicated in the earlier section on Equipment the following equipment was acquired using State funding:
Sydney Ports Corporation
Sydney Ports Corporation
Sydney Ports Corporation
Sydney Ports Corporation
Newcastle Port Corporation
Port Kembla Port Corporation
Exercises
Sydney Ports Corporation
The Sydney Ports Corporation held the following oil spill response exercises during the reporting period.
The Sydney Ports Corporation also held four desktop exercises during the reporting period. These included a chlorine gas leak at the Port Botany Chemical Facility on 2 October, a wharf fire on 2 June and oil spill on 23 December at the AMPOL Kurnell Refinery, and a Tier 1 oil spill on 12 June in Sydney Harbour.
Newcastle Port Authority
The Newcastle Port Authority, in conjunction with the Queensland Department of Transport, conducted "Exercise Hastings" on 27 May at Hastings Point, NSW. The aim of the exercise was to activate and exercise the contingency plan for the Queensland/NSW border region.
Two desktop exercises were conducted during the reporting period; "Exercise Hard Hit" on 1 May, in conjunction with the Hunter District Emergency Management Committee, involving a ship collision with a wharf, and an equipment deployment exercise on 9 May as part of the Newcastle Port Corporation Oil Spill Response Course.
Port Kembla Port Corporation
A major equipment deployment exercise was conducted on 23 April in conjunction with BHP.
New or Updated Contingency Plans
For the purposes of notification and response to oil spill incidents and district contingency planning, the NSW coast has been divided into three regions and each of the port corporations has been assigned one of the regions. Under these arrangements, final drafts covering the following District Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plans are awaiting endorsement: Mid North Coast; Far North Coast; Illawarra North; Shoalhaven and Far South Coast.
Coastal Resource Atlas
The project converting the hard copy Coastal Resource Atlases to a GIS system was completed in May.
South Australia
Significant Incidents
Western Winner Grounding, Tippara Reef
A summary of the Western Winnergrounding incident is outlined under the section Incidents in Australian Waters 1996/97.
Other significant incidents were:
23 July - Tier 1/2 Spill at Pt Stanvac from floating hose string
16-23 November - Jack up rig Maersk Victory
25-27 November - Super Servant 3 Spill Port Adelaide
13-14 December - Foundering Angelica S off Thevenard
6 February - Spill from Australian National Rail workshops at Port August
There were 57 minor marine pollution incidents reported throughout the state. Of these, three required activation of a national plan response.
Local Training
There was a significant training program conducted for maritime pollution response throughout the state during the year. A total of four Equipment Operator, Ro Boom Deployment and Equipment Drill courses were conducted by the South Australian Department of Transport, with 132 participants from various agencies attending. Courses have been attended by representatives from industry, local government, port authorities, South Australian Department of Transport and other government agencies.
Equipment Acquisition
In addition to the equipment supplied under NATPLAN funding as indicated in the earlier section on Equipment the following equipment was acquired using State funding:
Exercises
Exercise "St Vincent", a large scale desk top exercise, was conducted in September 1996 as a prelude to the arrival of Maersk Victory.
MV Gallantry, SA Fire Vessel. Boom deployed during exercise with ETSA Power Authority during 1996.
New or Updated Contingency Plans
Work is close to completion on the revised State Contingency Plan. The Thevenard regional plan is being rewritten.
Coastal Resource Atlas (CRA)
Work continued on inputting data into the CRA. Coverage of most of the South Australian coastline has been entered.
Tasmania
Significant Incidents
There were no major oil spills in Tasmania during the reporting year.
There were 11 minor marine pollution incidents reported throughout the state. Of these, one required activation of a national plan response.
Local Training
With assistance from AMSA, the following training programs were held to assist port authorities with the operation of National Plan equipment.
Administrative Changes to State/NT Response Arrangements
Revised administrative arrangements were put in place in Tasmania to give effect to new responsibilities under the National Plan.
Equipment Acquisition
In addition to the equipment supplied under NATPLAN funding as indicated in the earlier section on Equipment the following equipment was acquired using State funding:
Exercises
A desktop exercise COREBUS was held on 25 March 1997 to assist the State Marine Pollution Committee to undertake its required role under the National Plan.
New or Updated Contingency Plans
The Tasmanian Marine Oil Pollution Plan commenced on 28 February 1997.
The Tasmanian Oil Spill Wildlife Response Plan dated 4 November 1996 and the Guidelines for the Provision of Safe Haven for Disabled or Damaged Vessels at Sea also came into force during this period.
Coastal Resource Atlas (CRA)
Tasmania continued work on converting the CRA to the ArcView program.
Queensland
Significant Incidents
Peacock Grounding, Piper Reef
A summary of the Peacock grounding incident is outlined under the section Incidents in Australian Waters 1996/97.
There were 77 minor marine pollution incidents reported throughout the State. Of these, five required a national plan response to be activated.
Local Training
There were five Operator Response and two Marco Operator courses conducted by Queensland Transport officers, with a total of 175 participants attending from industry, local government, port authorities, Queensland Transport and other government agencies.
Equipment Acquisition
In addition to the equipment supplied under NATPLAN funding as indicated in the earlier section on Equipment, the following equipment was ordered using State funding during the reporting period, with delivery during 1997/98:
Exercises
Two oil spill response exercises, Slick Tide 1 and Slick Tide 2 where held in Mooloolaba during April to activate and exercise the contingency plan for the area.
Exercise Hastings was conducted on 27 May 1997 at Hastings Point, NSW. The aim of the exercise was to activate and exercise the contingency plan for the Queensland/NSW border region.
Exercise Hastings - Porta tank for storing recovered oil.
New or Updated Contingency Plans
A contingency plan for Mooloolaba Harbour was completed. The Border Plan was updated during the reporting period.
Western Australia
Significant Incidents
Mina S Oil Spill, Esperance
On 16 January 1997, an estimated 500 litres of oil spilled into Esperance Harbour as a result of an overflow during an internal transfer of oil bilge water. National plan equipment was deployed to contain the oil and clean-up was carried out on a nearby beach.
There were 18 minor marine pollution incidents reported throughout the state. Of these, one required activation of a national plan response.
Local Training
The WA Department of Transport conducted nine Equipment Operator courses, during the reporting period, with 118 attendees.
New Equipment Deployment
Apache Energy purchased a Kepner "Sea Curtain" boom for deployment during Oil Exploration in the Monte Bello region on the North West Shelf.
Equipment Acquisition
In addition to the equipment supplied under NATPLAN funding as indicated in the earlier section on Equipment, the following equipment was ordered using State funding during the reporting period, with delivery during 1997/98:
Exercises
A desk top exercise was conducted by the Department of Transport on behalf on the State Combat Committee and in conjunction with the Bunbury Port Authority to test all plans and lines of communication.
New or Updated Contingency Plans
The Western Australian Marine Oil Pollution Emergency Management Plan was issued in August and is currently undergoing further review. Only one plan was revised during the reporting period, by the Bunbury Port Authority.
Coastal Resource Atlas (CRA)
The conversion of the CRA was completed during the reporting period. Work is continuing on revisions of data.
Northern Territory
Significant Incidents
No significant oil spills occurred in the Northern Territory in 1996/97.
There were nine minor marine pollution incidents reported throughout the state none of which required a national plan response.
Local Training
An Equipment Operators' Course was held in Darwin under the guidance of AMSA personnel.
Administrative Changes to State/NT Response Arrangements
The Department of Transport and Works has allocated funds to engage an officer whose primary functions will be National Plan training, equipment maintenance and administrative support. The balance of the position provides small craft safety training. This officer commenced duty in June 1997.
Equipment Acquisition
No major items of response equipment were acquired by the Northern Territory during the year other than equipment supplied under the National Plan. The Darwin Port Authority has increased its stocks of absorbent booms and materials.
Exercises
No major exercises were held in the Northern Territory during the year. Nabalco Pty Ltd and Groote Eylandt Mining Company Ltd (GEMCO) have conducted desk top exercises to test the contingency plans for Gove and Milner Bay. The exercises included limited deployment of response equipment.
New or Updated Contingency Plans
Response Tech Pty Ltd was engaged to compile an oil spill contingency plan for the entire Northern Territory coastline. This complements the existing plans for the harbours of Darwin, Gove and Milner Bay. The Northern Territory National Plan Committee is to consider the draft plan during August 1997.
Coastal Resource Atlas (CRA)
The Environment Protection Division of the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment has continued production of the Northern Territory's Coastal Resource Atlas, with funding being provided by the Department, the Ocean Rescue 2000 Program and the National Plan. Coverage of the central coast area from Darwin to Cape Arnhem is expected to be completed before the end of 1997.
last updated:
18 June 2001