Foreword

Exercise "Barossa" - Adelaide 
11 June 1998

Exercise "Barossa" was the third bi-annual oil spill response exercise conducted under the auspices of Australias National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances. The two previous exercises were conducted in Gladstone 24 and 25 May 1994 (Exercise Capricorn), and Melbourne 5 and 6 June 1996 (Exercise George Bass).

The exercise steering committee decided that with the experience gained from the two previous exercises, Exercise "Barossa" would be held over a 15 hour period in order to focus more closely on the exercise aims and objectives, and to replicate the demands and pressures which occur in those first vital 12 to 15 hours of a genuine oil spill.

Exercise "Barossa" achieved the aims and objectives which were laid down early in the exercise planning process while at the same time identifying positive outcomes and areas in need of further attention. One positive outcome was the way in which personnel from disparate agencies, both State and interstate, government and industry worked together in responding to the demands of the scenario. Of particular note was the way government and industry representatives from the National Response Team worked with and provided support to the primary and lead agencies, South Australian Transport and South Australian Ports Corporation respectively.

In identifying areas in needs of attention, all members of the exercise steering committee are unanimous in their view that it is far better to identify problem areas in the course of an exercise than in a genuine incident. An exercise provides participants with time to pause, reflect and address issues in need of attention, a luxury not always provided for during the response to a genuine incident.

The exercise proved the value of having a team of experienced personnel from government and industry agencies work together to write the scenario and manage the exercise. The individuals concerned were able to consolidate their extensive knowledge and experience to develop a scenario, which was realistic, and to prepare sufficient inputs to ensure momentum was maintained for the fifteen hours duration of the exercise.

Special thanks is extended to the Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand (MSANZ) for making Paul Irving available as a member of the exercise steering committee and special thanks also to the three international umpires, Mr Dick Fricke (Mobil USA), Mr Ian Wilson (Mobil New Zealand) and Captain Ian Niblock (MSANZ). Thanks also to those who provided the committee with support; John Osborne (AMSA Port Adelaide), Paul Clarke (Port of Brisbane Corporation), Robert Lea (NSW Office of Marine Administration) and Sandy Galbraith (Lloyds List) were just some who worked hard to ensure the success of the exercise. A final thanks is extended to all umpires and observers who took the time to attend and comment on the exercise and the Exercise "Barossa" response team for their efforts. We are sure that the lessons learned will stand South Australian agencies and individuals in good stead should they experience a major oil spill.

Ray Lipscombe
Chair
Exercise "Barossa" Steering Committee
Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Captain John Turnbull
Vice Chair
Exercise "Barossa" Steering Committee
Marine Board of Victoria

Captain Walter Stuart
Chair, South Australian Marine Pollution Committee
State Oil Spill Commander
South Australian Department of Transport

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