The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) organised a full deployment, multi-agency joint oil spill exercise, code-named “JOSE 2012″, on Oct. 19 to test and demonstrate Singapore’s readiness to respond to oil spills at sea.According to an MPA Press release, this exercise was held in conjunction with this year’s Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON 2012), hosted by MPA.
Comprising a table-top exercise at Port Operations Control Centre at PSA Vista (POCC-Vista) and a demonstration on local oil spill response capability, the aim of JOSE 2012 was to familiarise responding agencies to the Oil Spill Contingency Plan for combating major oil spills at sea. About 200 personnel from various agencies participated in this exercise.
“Singapore is a premier global hub port with more than 120,000 vessels calling annually. It is critical that we remain vigilant and maintain operational readiness at all times. Exercises like JOSE 2012 help test the various agencies’ readiness and cooperation in combating oil spill, thus ensuring effective and swift response to such incidents,” said Capt. M Segar, Assistant Chief Executive, MPA.
JOSE 2012 involved a scenario when a fully laden Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) collided with an oil tanker 1.5 nautical miles north-east of Raffles Lighthouse. The collision damaged two cargo tanks of the VLCC and 8,000 tonnes of its Arabian light crude spilled into the sea.
As a large quantity of oil was spilled and was spreading quickly, MPA activated its Oil Spill Contingency Plan and deployed dispersant spraying craft to combat the spill. The exercise also demonstrated the deployment of equipment such as oil containment booms around the stricken tanker to prevent further escape of the oil and recovery of oil using a heavy duty oil recovery system.
JOSE 2012 was successfully executed and saw close cooperation among MPA, Government agencies and industry partners.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore was established on Feb. 2, 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and International Maritime Centre (IMC) and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore’s port and maritime development, taking on the roles of port authority, port regulator, port planner, IMC Champion and National Maritime Representative.
MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services and promote maritime R & D and manpower development.
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