OPRC – Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response & Co-operation

International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC)

Adoption: 30 November 1990; Entry into force: 13 May 1995

In July 1989, a conference of leading industrial nations in Paris called upon IMO to develop further measures to prevent pollution from ships. This call was endorsed by the IMO Assembly in November of the same year and work began on a draft convention aimed at providing a global framework for international co-operation in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution now termed as OPRC. 

Parties to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) are required to establish measures for dealing with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries.

A Protocol to the OPRC relating to hazardous and noxious substances (OPRC-HNS Protocol) was adopted in 2000. Below courses are as per IMO OPRC Model course 4.01, 4.02, 4.03 and 4.04 of 2019 Edition. 

Level 0 – Introduction to Oil Spills – (1 day) – Raising Awareness

The prime purpose of this course is to provide a first introduction to the essential elements of oil spill preparedness and response. The objective is to provide outline knowledge of the principles and issues associated with the response to oil spills. 

MODULE 0.1: INTRODUCTION TO OIL SPILL RESPONSE

• Module objective
• Lesson 0.1: Course Introduction
• Video 0.1: Introduction to Oil Spills
• Lesson 0.2: Fate and Behaviour of Oil in the Marine and Shoreline Environment
• Lesson 0.3: Impacts of oil spills

 MODULE 0.2: OIL SPILL RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS

• Module objective
• Video 0.2: Introduction to the work of IMO
• Lesson 0.4: International Legislation
• Lesson 0.5: Oil Spill Response Preparedness
• Exercise 0.1: Exercise – Risk

MODULE 0.3: OIL SPILL RESPONSE

• Module objective
• Lesson 0.6: Overview of Oil Spill Response
• Exercise 0.2: Preparedness

Level 1 – Response to Oil Spills for First Responders – (4 days) – Operational

The course is designed with the aim of improving the skills of field response personnel responsible for undertaking on-site clean up operations and to provide them with a complete overview of the various techniques available for recovering oil spilled at sea and cleaning of polluted shorelines.

The course focuses on, and provides in-depth knowledge and skills in, on-site first response to oil spills with the emphasis on combat and clean-up technologies.

MODULE 1.1: OVERVIEW OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE

• Module objective
• Lesson 1.1: Course Introduction
• Video 1.1: Introduction to Oil Spills
• Lesson 1.2: Fate and Behaviour of Oil in the Marine and Shoreline Environment
• Lesson 1.3: Impacts of oil spills
• Lesson 1.4: Principles of Incident Management – Field Perspective
• Lesson 1.5: Health and Safety Aspects of Oil Spill Response
• Exercise 1.1: Exercise – Health and Safety
• Lesson 1.6: Overview of Oil Spill Response Techniques

MODULE 1.2: OIL SPILL RESPONSE TECHNIQUES – AT-SEA

• Module objective
• Video 1.2: At-sea Response
• Lesson 1.7: Use of Dispersants
• Lesson 1.8: Booms – Containment and Protection
• Lesson 1.9: Skimmers
• Lesson 1.10: Temporary Storage
• Lesson 1.11: In Situ Burning (optional)
• Lesson 1.12: Using Sorbents
• Exercise 1.2: Exercise and demonstration of At-sea Response Equipment

 MODULE 1.3: OIL SPILL RESPONSE TECHNIQUES – SHORELINE ASSESSMENT AND CLEAN-UP

• Module objective
• Lesson 1.13: Shoreline Assessment and Evaluation
• Exercise 1.3: Exercise – Shoreline Assessment and Evaluation
• Lesson 1.14: Shoreline Clean-up techniques
• Lesson 1.15: Shoreline Site Set-up, logistical and de-contamination issues
• Video 1.3: Shoreline Clean-up
• Exercise 1.4: Exercise – Shoreline Types and Response Techniques
• Exercise 1.5: Exercise and Demonstration of shoreline equipment
• Exercise 1.6: Stockpile Visit

MODULE 1.4: OIL SPILL RESPONSE SUPPORT ISSUES

• Module objective
• Lesson 1.16: Implementing Waste Management
• Video 1.4: Waste Management
• Lesson 1.17: Post-incident operations

Level 2 – Response to Oil Spills for Supervisors and On-scene Commanders – (4 days) – Tactical

This course is designed for onsite coordinators who will lead or supervise oil spill response teams and those with field support responsibilities within an incident command or emergency team. 

MODULE 2.1: OVERVIEW OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE

• Module objective
• Lesson 2.1: Course Introduction
• Video 2.1: Introduction to Oil Spills
• Lesson 2.2: Sources and Impacts of Oil Spills
• Lesson 2.3: Overview of Contingency Planning and Preparedness
• Participant Presentations
• Lesson 2.4: Principles of Incident Management
• Exercise 2.1: Incident Management Systems (IMS)
• Lesson 2.5: Response Tools

MODULE 2.2: OIL SPILL RESPONSE TECHNIQUES

• Module objective
• Lesson 2.6: Fate and Behaviour of Oil in the Marine and Shoreline Environment
• Video 2.2: Environmental Impacts
• Lesson 2.7: Observation
• Video 3: Aerial Observation
• Exercise 2.2: Aerial Observation
• Lesson 2.8: Containment, Recovery and Salvage Considerations
• Lesson 2.9: Use of Dispersants
• Lesson 2.10: In-Situ Burning (optional)
• Video 2.4: At-Sea Response
• Exercise 2.3: Implementing Response Strategy (At-Sea)
• Lesson 2.11: Shoreline Assessment and Clean-Up
• Video 2.5: Shoreline  Clean-up
• Lesson 2.12: Oil Spill response in Fast Water
• Lesson 2.13: Oil Spill Response in Ice (optional)

MODULE 2.3: RESPONSE ISSUES

• Module objective
• Lesson 2.14: Oiled Wildlife Management
• Lesson 2.15: Archaeological and Cultural Resources
• Lesson 2.16: Health and Safety Considerations
• Lesson 2.17: Logistical and Decontamination Issues
• Exercise 2.4: Implementing Response Strategy (Shoreline)
• Lesson 2.18: Waste Management and Disposal
• Video 2.6: Waste Management
• Lesson 2.19: Communications and Media

MODULE 2.4: INCIDENT TERMINATION

• Module objective
• Lesson 2.20: Response Termination Criteria
• Lesson 2.21: Post-Incident Operations
• Lesson 2.22: Post-Incident Administrative Issues
• Video 2.7: Oil Spill Compensation
• Exercise 2.5: Implementing Response Strategy (Ongoing and Post-Incident Operations)

Level 3 – Response to Oil Spills for Administrators and Senior Managers – (4 days) – Strategic

This course is designed for all senior managers, administrators and senior officials who may be involved in planning for or managing the response to an oil spill. The course entails classroom activities only.

MODULE 3.1: OIL SPILL RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS

• Module objective
• Lesson 3.1: Course Introduction
• Video 3.1: Introduction to Oil Spills
• Video 3.2: Introduction to the work of IMO
• Lesson 3.2: The Legal Framework
• Lesson 3.3: Oil Spill Response Preparedness
• Exercise 3.1: Preparedness Review

MODULE 3.2: PLANNING AND RESPONSE

• Module objective
• Lesson 3.4: Technical tools for oil spill planning and response
• Lesson 3.5: Assessment of spill risks
• Lesson 3.6: Impacts of oil spills
• Lesson 3.7: Oil spill response options
• Lesson 3.8: Places of Refuge and Salvage Considerations
• Exercise 3.2: Places of Refuge – Risk Assessment
• Exercise 3.3: Selecting the appropriate response strategy

MODULE 3.3: RESPONSE MANAGEMENT

• Module objective
• Lesson 3.9: Planning and Cooperation
• Lesson 3.10: Strategic Directions and Policies
• Lesson 3.11: Roles and Responsibilities
• Lesson 3.12: Leadership During an Emergency
• Exercise 3.4: Roles and Responsibilities
• Lesson 3.13: Incident Management Systems (IMS)
• Lesson 3.14: Termination of Response
• Exercise 3.5: Incident Management Exercise

MODULE 3.4: COMMUNICATION ISSUES

• Module objective
• Lesson 3.15: Managing Information
• Lesson 3.16: Internal Communication Requirements
• Lesson 3.17: External Communication Requirements
• Exercise 3.6: Communications Exercise

MODULE 3.5: LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION

• Module objective
• Lesson 3.18: The international compensation regime
• Lesson 3.19: Admissible claims
• Exercise 3.7: Claims and Compensation Preparation

MODULE 3.6: REVIEW AND ACTION PLAN

• Module objective
• Exercise 3.8: Strategy Exercise
• Exercise 3.9.1: Review
• Exercise 3.9.2: Development of an Action Plan