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Chair's Foreword
On behalf of the National Plan Management Committee (NPMC), I have much pleasure in presenting the Annual Report for 2005-2006 of the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances (the National Plan).
During the reporting period, there was one major ship-sourced marine pollution incident in Australian waters, which involved activation of National Plan personnel and resources – the Global Peace spill. The National Plan was also called upon to respond to 106 minor spill incidents.
On Tuesday 24 January 2006, during a berthing operation in the port of Gladstone, the tug Tom Tough experienced engine problems and collided with the Panamanian registered bulk coal ship Global Peace.
The impact breached the ship’s hull and about 25 tonnes of heavy fuel oil was lost into the harbour. Over the next six days, personnel and equipment were deployed to clean up the spill, undertake shoreline assessment and respond to oiled wildlife.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Maritime Safety Queensland under the auspices of the NPMC and the National Plan established an Incident Analysis Team. The Team was charged with analysing the management of the incident from an oil spill response perspective, assessing the adequacy of the response and identifying any lessons that could be learnt by Australian spill responders. Through incidents such as this, we continue to learn and take every opportunity to enhance our ability and the preparations to respond to future spill events.
The development of the National Maritime Emergency Response Division Arrangements continued during 2005-2006, with the key developments including the appointment of the Maritime Emergency Response Division Commander, the passage of amendments to the Commonwealth Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981 to broaden the legislative powers to respond to major pollution incidents, and progress in development of contracts for the National Emergency Towage Programme.
Finally, on a personal note, this is my first report as the NPMC Chair. I would like to take the opportunity to thank my predecessor, Mr Jim Starkey, for the well-structured and robust response arrangements that I have inherited. I wish him well for the future. I look forward to continuing to work with AMSA, the States and Northern Territory and the oil, chemical and maritime industries to progress the National Plan into the future.
Malcolm Irving
Chairman
National Plan Management Committee
Updated: July 2007