Spill Alert - Issue 23

ISSUE 23

APRIL 2022

THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE UK AND IRELAND SPILL ASSOCIATION

PERU OIL SPILL OIL STORAGE VESSELS A NECESSARY RISK? CONTAINER LOSSES ... MUCH MORE

PRODUCED BY

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CONTENTS 4

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME

6

INDUSTRY NEWS

12

MEMBER NEWS

16

THE ISSUE WITH FUEL STORAGE VESSELS

18

PERU OIL SPILL

20-21

CASE STUDY : VIKOMA, BRIGGS, A&S INTERNATIONAL

22

ISAS UPDATE AND INLAND CONFERENCE

24

UK AND IRELAND SPILL ASSOCIATION WORKING GROUP REPORT

26

PRODUCT NEWS

28

PLASTICS: WHY WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION

30

GUIDANCE ON TANK CLEANING FOR TANKS CONTAINING RED DIESEL

33

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

34

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

36

UK AND IRELAND SPILL ASSOCIATION 2022 EVENT PLAN SPONSORED BY OAMPS

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INTERSPILL 2022

Cover image: Vikoma and local responders undertaking trials and training.

Copyright Vikoma

Spill Alert is the official magazine of the UK and Ireland Spill Association. It is published by the Association whose Registered Office is; 39 Chapel Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3FG. The views in the magazine may not represent the views of the Association if the authors are not employees of it and are therefore individual views. No article may be reproduced without the permission of the Association whose contact details are below © UK and Ireland Spill Association Ltd - 2022 All enquiries for membership of the Association, editorial, advertising or attendance at events should be made to: Mark J Orr, Executive Director, UK and Ireland Spill Association Ltd info@ukirespill.org Tel: 0333 444 1890 Mob: +44 7864 707408 www.ukirespill.org

All enquiries for marine, shoreline and inland accreditation should be made to: Neil Marson, Executive Director, International Spill Accreditation Scheme Ltd neil.marson@isasaccreditation.org Tel: 0333 444 1891 Mob: +44 7889 714828 www.isasaccreditation.org

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WELCOME TO SPILL ALERT WELCOME Welcome to this spring issue of Spill Alert.

Lee Barber, Chair UK and Ireland Spill Association

I do not think anyone would have expected the spill industry to be as busy as it is now; everyone I speak to in the industry is rushed off their feet. The team at Oil Spill Response Ltd are in a similar position and are currently deployed all over the world. In fact, a few weeks ago we could make the claim that our staff were working in all seven continents of the world, which doesn’t happen often.

It can sometimes be a challenge managing multiple incidents, but the whole team have done a great job resourcing events such as Sri Lanka (MV X‐ Press Pearl), Peru (two events), the UK Irish Sea, and Thailand.

The nature of these events certainly highlights how the workload in spill response ebbs and flows. Also, how staff must be trained to be flexible and to be capable of working in all types of environments.

We work in a fascinating industry which if focused on meeting the energy needs of today, whilst funding the energy demands of tomorrow and meet carbon neutral targets.

Climate change, in particular unpredictable and extreme weather, are placing unprecedented pressure on existing facilities that are hard to address without significant investment at a time when the move to net zero means that these facilities may not be in use beyond 2050. It is going to be a challenge in which rapid response is vital.

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This cannot be safely done without well trained and motivated people on whom the reputation of the response industry relies.

Efforts led by UK and Ireland Spill’s members

on the new Employment Opportunities Working Group is important in this area. The group is in the process of consulting with members to develop career pathways for all inland and marine responders but also to include consultants who work to support the industry. The pathways should support training the individual so that as their training and competence builds, they move along an independently assessed career pathway culminating in chartered status for those with experience and competence at the top of our profession. Please participate with your ideas and suggestions in the work of this group.

As COVID Restrictions are encouraging a move to a new normal, we can begin to sense the economy is opening up and face to face events are starting again.

Consequently, the Inland conference will be held at UKIFDA Expo in Liverpool on 28 April, the agenda is in this issue. Our marine members are also looking forward to Interspill 2022, it will be held 21-23 June in Amsterdam and our Association is playing a full role in the event’s success. We hope the COVID situation continues to improve so that we may hold an exciting conference and awards dinner this autumn.

In the meantime I wish you all well and trust that you are busy, filling your vacancies and staying safe!

Best Wishes Lee

E L T More details at

www.darcy.co.uk

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INDUSTRY NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS at www.ukeirespill.org

FSO SAFIR – A MORE POSITIVE OUTLOOK?

The main risks associated with the FSO are the possible structural failure of the unit due to the lack of maintenance that could result in a leak from storage tanks due to a fracture forming on the hull or as a large release due to an explosion from the buildup of flammable gases.

The situation is particularly complex due to conflict in the region and the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

An oil spill from the FSO SAFER would be a major humanitarian and environmental disaster. A significant spill is likely to heavily impact the north-western coastline of Yemen, including the Yemeni Islands in the Red Sea, and Kamaran Island in particular. There is also a potential for oil to drift and impact neighbouring countries, including Djibouti, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia.

The area encompasses vulnerable ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs and bird habitats, as well as key infrastructures such as desalination plants and fishing ports.

The UN has coordinated a deal in Yemen to

The FSO has not been inspected or

unload more than 1 million barrels of crude

maintained since 2015 and has been

oil from the rusting FSO Safer tanker and

out of class since 2016, leading to

make safe what officials and experts have

serious concerns about its integrity. It is

described as a ticking environmental time

understood there is currently no oil leaking

bomb.

from the unit, but it is considered that the risk of an oil spill from the FSO SAFER is

The floating storage and offloading unit

increasing as its structure, equipment and

(FSO) SAFER is located approximately

operating systems continue to deteriorate.

4.8 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen.

It was originally built as an ultra-large crude carrier (ULCC) in Japan in 1976 and converted to a FSO in 1986. Since 1988, it has been moored at Ras Isa where, prior to the escalation of the conflict in 2015, it had been receiving, storing and exporting crude oil flowing from the Marib oil fields.

The FSO SAFER is owned by Yemen’s national oil company, the Safer Exploration & Production Operation Company (SEPOC).

Due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, all production and export operations related to FSO SAFER have been suspended, but an estimated 150,000 MT (nearly 1.1 million barrels) of crude oil remain onboard. This corresponds to four times the amount spilled during the Exxon Valdez incident in 1989, even though circumstances differ greatly.

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The specific impacts of a spill would depend on variety of factors, such as the amount of oil spilled, the oil’s weathering characteristics and the meteorological and oceanic conditions at the time.

Various spill scenarios from FSO SAFER have been investigated to enhance the understanding of the potential damage to the environment.

Key areas of focus of these planning efforts include: identifying technical experts to assist in coordinating and managing a spill response at national and local

EA STAFF AND CATEGORY 3 AND 4 INCIDENTS

levels; assessing the current capacity to respond to a spill; clarifying equipment and resource requirements; as well as identifying training needs for the relevant actors.

IMO is working in close collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Yemen, that has oversight within the UN system on matters related to FSO SAFER, and other UN agencies, as well as the Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) and the Government of Yemen to coordinate and support contingency planning efforts.

UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council announced a deal on 8 Mar 22 to transfer the oil from

the FSO Safer. Mr Griffiths gave no details of the deal but Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, told reporters later that progress “as always in Yemen, needs to be solidified in order to be taken forward”.

However, we have been here before as a final agreement has to be reached with the Houthi rebels before any work can be undertaken.

More details at: https://www. thenationalnews.com/gulfnews/2022/02/16/deal-reached-in-yemento-unload-oil-from-floating-bomb-tanker/ The IMO website has further information: https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/ db220307.doc.htm

However, it is clear that within the EA it is stretched to breaking point. Perhaps it was little surprise that it has apparently told its staff to ‘shut down’ and ignore reports of low-impact pollution events because it does not have enough money to investigate them, according to a leaked internal report.

DUSTRY NEWS

Whilst prevention efforts are the primary focus for securing FSO SAFER, adequate preparedness in the event of a spill is also essential to ensure a timely and coordinated response and mitigate the severity of impacts should there be a release. To this end, IMO has engaged technical experts to support its contingency planning efforts aimed at enhancing preparedness within the region in the event of a spill. This contingency planning process aims to help improve the efficiency, effectiveness and management of emergency response operations in the event of a spill from the FSO SAFER.

The ruling on so-called category 3 and 4 incidents means that events such as farm pollution or hazardous dumps by businesses may not be properly investigated. The decision has infuriated river groups and NGOs…’

In truth, the Environment Agency (EA) does not receive sufficient funds from Government to do all it is now required to do.

It is clear that the Environment Agency (EA) is under pressure from all sides at the moment. As England faces floods and droughts, rising sea levels and greater demand on water supplies due to climate change. It is also dealing with justifiable public outcry over water quality in rivers caused by agricultural and sewage pollution.

DEFRA, of which the EA is one of its agencies, is grappling with the implications of Brexit. It is having to introduce new environmental legislation, the adoption of new arrangements for funding the farming industry through a new mechanism of funding, trying to protect and expand the UK fishing industry, integrating new trade deals into UK environmental legislation and is struggling to manage all it has to deliver.

It is also under financial pressure as all Government departments have to cope with rising inflation so funding does not go as far as it did. Budgets are therefore squeezed and likely to get tighter.

It is therefore in the difficult position that it struggles to find resource to adequately undertake many of its regulated roles – look at the state of rivers as an example of this.

Attending pollution incidents is an important activity but so are many of its other regulatory roles.

As an Association we have very close links to the EA and great respect for the dedication and professionalism for its staff. However, they are overstretched, underfunded, are littered with staff shortages leaving many posts vacant, with many staff frustrated that they are unable to execute their regulatory role as well as their experience tells them they should.

More information at:

https://www.theguardian.com/ environment/2022/jan/10/ignore-lowimpact-pollution-events-environmentagency-staff

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INDUSTRY NEWS X-PRESS PEARL – THIS SAD INCIDENT IS SLOWLY CONCLUDING.

The sad incident of the MV X-Press

offloaded, but permission was not granted.

inside the vessel and all 25 crew members

Pearl is slowly moving to a conclusion.

According to X-Press Feeders, the requests

were evacuated safely from the vessel.

were denied as “there were no specialist

The fire continued to blaze during 25 May,

facilities or expertise immediately available

and by late afternoon containers were

to deal with the leaking acid”, and the

dropping off the vessel into the sea. The Sri

vessel proceeded on its planned journey to

Lanka Maritime Environmental Protection

Colombo.

Authority (MEPA) declared a Tier II oil spill

X-Press Pearl entered service in February 2021 as a short haul container feeder vessel. It would collect containers in small numbers and ‘feed’ them to major ports for onward

event from on-board bunkers as the blaze The ship reached Colombo on the night

got worse. India dispatched firefighting and

of 19 May and was anchored in the outer

pollution control Coast Guard vessels, a

harbour awaiting a berth. The ship did

tug and a Dornier maritime reconnaissance

X-Press Pearl was built in China for

not declare an emergency for the cargo

aircraft to help containment measures, and

Singapore-based X-Press Feeders, along

acid leak. On 20 May the ship’s agents

fishermen were asked to stay clear of the

with its sister ship X-Press Mekong. The

requested a re-working of the container.

ship.

37,000-deadweight tonne (DWT) container

Harbour Master Nirmal de Silva said as a

vessel could carry 2,743 twenty-foot

maritime hub, Colombo had the expertise

Chairperson of MEPA Dharshani

equivalent units. The ship was launched on

to help. The vessel then issued its first

Lahandapura said on 26 May that 378

28 September 2020 and delivered on 10

report of a fire, which the crew had put out

tonnes of oil were on board the vessel and

February 2021.

using its on-board system.

about half could leak into the sea after

The vessel was deployed on the Straits to

It was reported that the ship caught fire

the deployment of oil-containment booms

Middle East service of X-Press Feeders,

on 20 May, 9.5 nautical miles (17.6 km;

around the ship, but authorities were ready

from Port Klang (Malaysia) via Singapore

10.9 mi) northwest of the Colombo Port.

to clean up any oil that reached the shore.

and Jebel Ali (Dubai, UAE) to Hamad Port

The Sri Lanka Navy, along with the Sri

By morning, burnt debris and some fallen

(Qatar). The return voyage to Malaysia was

Lanka Ports Authority, which boarded the

cargo were washing up on Sri Lanka’s

via Hazira (India) and Colombo (Sri Lanka).

ship in order to find out the cause of fire,

Negombo coast. On 29 May, X-Press Pearl

The vessel had made three voyages, calling

suspected that the fire might have started

was still smouldering and belching smoke,

at Colombo on 17 March and 18 April, and

as a result of the reaction of chemicals

though flames were down. Hull integrity

caught fire shortly after arriving for its

being transported on the ship. During the

was still intact. Firefighting tugs continued

third call at the port on 19 May.

fire incident, the vessel had a crew of 25

to pour water on the ship. The Sri Lanka Air

members on board

Force dropped dry chemical powder. The

shipment in large container vessels.

the fire ended. Bad weather prevented

At the time she was carrying 1486

Indian Coast Guard pollution control ship,

containers including 25 tons of nitric

Though initial reports linked the incident to

joined the task force. By the morning of

acid, other chemicals, cosmetics and

leaking acid, Harbor Master De Silva said

30 May, the fire was mostly out and water

low density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets

the fire had broken out in the number 2

was still being sprayed. X-Press Feeders

when its departed the port of Hariza on

hold of X-Press Pearl while the container

said salvors were looking at boarding the

15 May 2021, arriving off Colombo on 19

was stacked on deck. A fuller investigation

vessel to set up a tow connection. Salvors

May. By 11 May the crew had discovered

was needed to determine the cause, he

boarded the vessel on 1 June for the first

that a container loaded at Jebel Ali was

said.

inspection. Salvors found the engine room

leaking nitric acid and had requested both

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Hamad and Hazira ports to allow it to be

flooded and smoke still coming out from On 25 May, a large explosion took place

cargo hold 1, 2 and 3 intermittently.

On 2 June 2021, X-Press Feeders issued a statement saying the company “regret[s] to report that despite salvors successfully boarding the vessel and attaching a tow wire, efforts to move the ship to deeper waters have failed”.

The ship remains in 21 metres (69 ft) deep water. Most of it is submerged, and the site is continuously monitored by a dedicated ship.

The goal of the project is focussed on the removal and disposal of the wreck and the clean up of the debris that has been washed onto the shore.

The environmental clean-up is being co-ordinated as an international effort

by MEPA and has been an extensive commitment.

It is likely that the project will conclude in late 2022.

More details at: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/x-press-pearl-cleanup-should-be-completedin-four-months

CONTAINER LOSSES CONTINUE Between 2008 and 2019, there was an average of 1,382 containers lost at sea each year. Between late 2020 and 2021, the number of containers lost dramatically increased with several larger incidents including ONE APUS, which lost 1,816 containers on November 30, 2020, MAERSK ESSEN, which lost 750 containers on January 16, 2021, MAERSK EINDHOVEN, which lost 260 containers on February 17, 2021, and ZIM KINGSTON which lost 109 containers on October 22, 2021, among others. ZIM KINGSTON is a particularly relevant case because the vessel remained at sea, just off the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, was subjected to storm-related 16-to20-foot seas due to port congestion and sustained 35 to 40-knot winds.

Container losses at sea are not a new concept and regulatory and operational preventative measures already exist. These measures, which can be adjusted based on changes in anticipated risk like storm severity, are essential for ship operators to safely stow and secure containerized cargo.

Each vessel has a Trim and Stability booklet that supplies the master with rapid and simple process instructions to

obtain accurate guidance on the stability of the ship. This includes determinations for initial stability, which impact the stiffness or tenderness of the vessel. A stiff vessel tends to right itself in a quick and jerky manner, which can increase transverse accelerations experienced by the containers and stress securing of containers. A tender vessel has a slower roll that provides another form of test for container lashings as cargo is inclined for longer periods. The master must comply with the Trim and Stability Booklet as a first step in safe carriage of containers.

Container loading, stowage, and securing must be in accordance with a Cargo Securing Manual approved by the relevant classification society. A ship’s Cargo Securing Manual provides guidance as to how cargo is stowed and secured for transit. The Cargo Securing Manual details securing arrangements suitable for the forces expected to affect the containers loaded on the ship. The forces on the containers act longitudinally, transversely, and vertically, and must be calculated based on accelerations anticipated in each direction. Additionally, the accelerations must be based on the ship’s route, voyage details, vessel length, service speed, vessel breadth and metacentric height, height of the cargo, force from wind pressure, and force from sea sloshing. The securing of containers typically consists of lashings

of wire rope, chain, lashing rods, and tensioners. Stacking of containers make use of twist-lock locking devices, cones, or other stacking aids.

Modern containerships possess software that can aid the master or chief mate in determining compliance with the Trim and Stability Booklet and Cargo Securing Manual.

Despite the focus on container losses, they continue to occur and are increasing. There are work groups at IMO, the insurance industry, shipping industry and more looking at how to solve the issues.

Climate change is affecting weather systems, there are more extremes in wind strength and sea state, vessels are also getting larger and super containerships are becoming the norm. The largest with a capacity of 23,992 TEUs, is the Ever ACE. It set sail on her maiden voyage in July 2021.

This 400-meter long vessel has 24 rows of side-by-side containers having a breadth of 61.53 meters and cruises, under its one engine, at 22 knots.

Are we going in the right direction?

We shall be discussing this further and discussing what industry is doing!

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INDUSTRY INDUSTRY NEWS NEWS

COWNY AND DOUGLAS OFFSHORE PRODUCTION PLATFORMS – PIPELINE SPILL About 500 barrels of oil (just under 80,000 litres) leaked from a pipe off the North Wales coast in the production field known as Liverpool Bay. The pipe, which runs between two platforms named Conwy and Douglas, was shut off following the leak and remains closed.

Operator ENI UK said details of what happened about 20 miles (33km) north of Rhyl, Denbighshire, were still being confirmed, but no one was affected.

A number of our members were mobilised to support ENI UK in dealing with the incident.

High tides and stormy 10

weather presented the danger of oil pollution extending further onshore than would otherwise be the case with the potential to impact the North West England and North Wales coasts which contain a host of sensitive and valuable habitats, such as estuaries, salt marshes and dune systems, which could be impacted by oil pollution.

Eni UK, relevant authorities and spill response companies continued to monitor the situation for appx

10 days following the incident. https://www.bbc. co.uk/news/ukwales-60393814

PLASTIC TREATY: WORLD LEADERS AGREE TERMS OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT TO CURB POLLUTION AT UN SUMMIT

The gavel has come down at

draft versions of the treaty. One,

Negotiating Committee (INC) that

the UN’s Environment Assembly

supported by more than 70 nations,

will forge a global agreement on

meeting on a historic new

including 27 EU member states,

plastic pollution.

agreement to stem the flow of

included a requirement to reduce

plastic pollution into nature.

plastic production. The other,

This would have been unthinkable

tabled by Japan and supported

just a few years ago. But today,

Attendees chose a treaty that will

by the likes of the US, China, Sri

here in Nairobi, in the only

cover the entire lifecycle of plastics,

Lanka, Cambodia and Palau, did not

United Nations Headquarters

including potential measures to cap

include this requirement, placing

in the developing world, in the

production.

instead a greater focus on scaling

environmental capital of the world,

recycling and energy-from-waste.

you are taking a crucial step to turn

The meeting, known as UNEA

Ultimately, attendees agreed on a

the tide on plastic pollution. This is

5.2, closed on 2 March 22 in

treaty that is most similar to the

a historic moment. I congratulate

Nairobi after more than a week of

first version. The UN has stated

everyone involved for bringing us

negotiations between UN member

covers the full lifecycle of plastic,

to this point. But a lot of work lies

states on topics including nature-

from source to waste management.

ahead to deal with the sheer scale

based climate solutions, sustainable

A full set of documents is expected

of plastic pollution.”

food systems, green jobs, poverty

to be published by the end of the

eradication and preventing

day.

pollution.

The UN is aiming to complete a finalized treaty by 2024. It has

This latter topic has caught many of

This decision has been welcomed,

promised that the final treaty will

the headlines around the meeting,

given that the UN estimates that

be legally binding. By 2024, more

as attendees have been tasked

plastic production currently stands

information will be provided on

with agreeing the broad terms of

at 400 million tonnes per year and

how nations report their plastic

a new global treaty to slow – and

is set to surpass 800 million tonnes

production, disposal and pollution.

ultimately end – plastic pollution

per year without any intervention.

Green groups are urging swift

globally. The treaty covers both

UNEA secretary-general Inger

progress, after a recent landmark

terrestrial and marine habitats

Anderson said: “As I told

report from the OECD revealed

and applies to plastic pollution

negotiators a few days ago, the

that global plastic production

of all sizes and all sources, from

world is demanding that we act

doubled between 2000 and 2019,

microplastics from textiles and

on plastic pollution. They, the

with the growth of plastic volumes

tyres, to nurdles, to abandoned

negotiators, have delivered the first

outpacing economic growth. Within

fishing gear.

step in this process by agreeing

the same timeframe, recycling rates

to establish an Intergovernmental

stagnated and the flow of plastics

UN representatives had stated

into oceans increased.

in the run-up to UNEA 5.2, and throughout the proceedings, that

More details at:

the treaty could well be the most important multilateral global

https://www.unep.org/news-and-

environmental agreement since

stories/press-release/historic-day-

the Paris Agreement was ratified at

campaign-beat-plastic-pollution-

COP21 in 2015.

nations-commit-develop

Attendees had put forward two

11

APR

MEMBERS NEWS

22

SURFCLEANER AND BRIGGS MARINE TEAM UP TO UNLEASH REVOLUTIONARY WATERTREATMENT TECH IN UK

Swedish tech developer SurfCleaner has partnered with Briggs Marine to unleash its revolutionary water treatment systems in the UK market – including the world’s first ‘hybrid’ skimmer separator.

SurfCleaner’s products are designed to separate and recover contaminants from the water surface – including oil, diesel, petrol, sludge and other pollutants.

The versatile technology can be used across multiple sectors from industrial wastewater and municipal water-treatment to oil-spill cleanup and recovery. It also holds major potential for use across the maritime sector, covering harbours, coastlines and nearshore markets.

Following a recent three-week test period at Briggs Marine in Aberdeen, Scotland, SurfCleaner’s SCO 1000 machine was able to repeatedly remove 200ltrs of oil from a 9000ltr contaminated tank, in just 15 minutes, including completely removing the oil sheen.

Briggs Marine is now in the process of securing SurfCleaner’s first product orders in the UK. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with a prestigious UK maritime brand in Briggs Marine, which will drive greater profile and awareness of our product range,” 12

said SurfCleaner CEO, Mikael Andersson. “The move opens up major potential across the UK’s vibrant maritime sector covering harbours, coastlines and nearshore markets. The SurfCleaner machines are the only systems in the world capable of removing and separating oil sheen and light hydrocarbons, which is particularly relevant in oil-spill clean up, removing the need for costly absorbents. Aside from being the world’s first dual skimmer separator technology, it delivers a huge range of other environmental, energy-saving and cost-cutting benefits - making it a truly revolutionary product.

With an expanding portfolio, SurfCleaner has an opportunity to make a significant impact on global water treatment market in the coming years and its value will only increase as environmental regulations tighten across the board.”

Aside from offering a unique oil separation technology, SurfCleaner delivers a broad range of environmental benefits.

Its SCO1000 device requires just 20W on average of electricity, making it ultra-energy efficient.

Other comparable devices require circa 7.5KW. This low power profile means devices can be operated using mobile batteries for up to four days.

In addition, the streamlined, lightweight machine is fully automatic and contains just two moving parts, the motor and mechanical bellows, removing the need for pneumatics, hydraulics, pumps or hoses. This dramatically reduces the need of on-site supervision and maintenance costs, while the simplicity of the design makes it versatile, easily

transportable and deployable in restricted locations.

Jamie Campbell, General Manager of Briggs Environmental Services, said: “I look forward to working with SurfCleaner in the future with what I can honestly say is one of the best skimming products I’ve seen in a long time, proof was certainly in the pudding so to speak!”

Invented by the late Stig Lundbäck MD PhD, clinical physiologist, SurfCleaner’s technology mimics the pumping principles of the human heart. To date, the firm has installed circa 40 units across the oil-water separation segment, serving a variety of customers including the Swedish Coast Guard, Preem Refinery, Esso Refinery, Sonatrach Refinery, Exxon Mobil and Ports of Stockholm.

For more info contact Peter Cheney – SurfCleaner AB peter.cheney@surfcleaner.com Stuart Foreman – Briggs Marine Environmental Ltd sforeman@briggsenvironmental.com

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MEMBERS NEWS MEMBERS NEWS MEMBERS NEWS MEMBERS MILESTONE REACHED IN THE HISTORY OF WILDLIFE RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS: GLOBAL OILED WILDLIFE RESPONSE SERVICE BECOMES PART OF OSRL’S SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) is pleased to announce that in 2022, the Global Oiled Wildlife Response Service (GOWRS) will become part of OSRL’s Service Level Agreement (SLA).

GOWRS is a ready-to-deploy Assessment Team of four wildlife response experts, drawn from 10 leading international wildlife response organisations, which will be available 24/7/365 to deploy for a four-day incountry incident assessment.

The team will be hand-picked from a pool of international experts depending on the needs of the specific incident.

The GOWRS Assessment Team will evaluate and provide on-the-ground recommendations to the client. These recommendations will cover the need, feasibility, and elements for a wildlife response that meets industry Good Practice standards.

The annual funding for GOWRS will enable a year-round work programme for the ten partner organisations (listed below), all leading wildlife response organisations in their home countries, to develop and maintain a pool of qualified, response-ready Tier 3 Assessment Team personnel.

Robert Limb, Chief Executive at OSRL, comments: “Integrating GOWRS into our SLA is a significant milestone in the history of wildlife response preparedness. It represents the first time a Tier 3 response system will integrate operational wildlife responders. GOWRS will help sustain wildlife response knowhow for the future and create a more resilient network of wildlife response organisations.

He continues: “The GOWRS Partners will also continue to develop and maintain international standards. An essential part of this work will be supporting our members with their ongoing

to improve Tier 1 and 2 wildlife response

Global Oiled Wildlife Response Service

preparedness in parts of the world with

(GOWRS)

limited capability.”

The Global Oiled Wildlife Response The addition of GOWRS enables all

Service (GOWRS) is a collaboration of

OSRL members to access an enhanced

ten of the world’s leading professional

offering of SLA wildlife response

oiled wildlife response organisations

services. GOWRS joins the SLA as a new

representing a variety of models and

service that complements the existing

missions unanimously committed to

SLA services of access to expert oiled

the best possible outcomes for wildlife.

wildlife advice from the Sea Alarm

It currently consists of Aiuká (Brazil),

Foundation and Tier 3 Wildlife Response

Focus Wildlife International (U.S.A.),

Equipment by providing an expert in-

International Bird Rescue (U.S.A.),

field assessment of any incident.

Oiled Wildlife Care Network/UC Davis (OWCN) (U.S.A.), PRO BIRD (Germany),

The GOWRS recommendations would

the Royal Society for the Prevention

help guide the implementation of a full-

of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) (U.K.),

scale operational response, if needed

SANCCOB (South Africa), Tri-State

and feasible. In this way, GOWRS helps

Bird Rescue and Research (U.S.A.),

ensure that OSRL members can access

WILDBASE/Massey University (New

the best professionals in the world and

Zealand), and Wildlife Centre Ostend

establish a wildlife response correctly

(Belgium)

from day one.

For information please contact: Contracting for GOWRS is in progress

Emma Smillie: emmasmillie@

and expected to be complete by the

oilspillresponse.com Tel: +44 (0)23

second half of 2022.

8033 1551

Notes to editors:

preparedness journey, especially efforts

13

MEMBERS NEWS MEMBERS NEWS MEMBERS NEWS MEMBERS NE MAJOR CHANGES AT AMBIPAR RESPONSE IN THE UK Brazilian multinational Ambipar Response, one of the world’s leading environmental management and emergency response organisations, are delighted to name Martin Lehane as CEO of its European Operations as part of its continued growth in the region.

In his new role, Martin will manage Ambipar Response’s nine European locations and continue to facilitate the integration of the current companies recently acquired by the Ambipar Group, as well as any future additions.

As part of Ambipar’s continued growth, restructuring and streamlining of services, Mathew Perkins (Commercial Manager), Steve Doig (Operations Manager) and Tharsis Guido (Finance Manager) will now take on the responsibilities of the former Executive Committee under the leadership of Martin Lehane and continue to provide the high level of service that members and clients have been accustomed to over the years.

Ambipar Response Limited has been established in the Environmental Services and Incident Management Sector for over 70 years. As an accredited Marine Oil Spill Response Organisation and long serving member of the UK & Ireland Spill Association, Ambipar continues to deliver a wide range of preparedness and response services.

In 2018, the Ambipar Group acquired Braemar Response Ltd, renaming the company and integrating it as part of its continued growth outside of South America. Since then, Enviroclear Site Services Limited in the UK and Lehane Environmental & Industrial Services Ltd in the Republic of Ireland were further acquired in 2021 as part of the Group’s global expansion into the industrial services and hazardous waste management sectors.

These recent changes will enable Martin and his team to avail of the full resources of an international waste and environmental response PLC across Europe.

“For me the European Market is significant and I know we 14

can build on the energy that the Lehane, Enviroclear and Ambipar businesses have currently. Over the next period we will be looking to build a solid Ambipar Brand – one company, one team, delivering high quality response and industrial services throughout Europe”.

Lehane Environmental & Industrial Services Ltd was founded in 1974 and Martin joined the family business in 1990 and built it into one of the largest environmental services providers in the Republic of Ireland before selling to Ambipar in 2021. Martin remained with the company after the sale, serving as EHSQ Director.

Martin was offered the position of CEO European Operations in early March – and officially takes office on the 1st April 2022.

Ambipar’s wide service offering coupled with asset ownership, represents an attractive value proposition to international and local clients; and now with greater reach and expansion in the European market in which it already has consolidation, will allow the organisation to increase its portfolio of services and environmental solutions even further, with new unique cross selling opportunities.

In addition to the commercial advantages and opportunities, the synergy between the business vision and the growth purpose will bring good results for everyone, especially for the market and our clients.

ABOUT THE AMBIPAR GROUP Present in 18 countries, with over 300 bases and 12K+ employees, the Ambipar Group is a leader in the environmental management market.

The company offers sustainable solutions for environmental protection, transport, logistics, distribution, training, management and support for crisis and emergencies globally.

Each Ambipar sector is led by a highly qualified team, specialised in environmental response, incident management, industrial services and hazardous waste management services, and has the experience to address today’s challenges efficiently and establish lasting partnerships.

The Ambipar Group has recently further demonstrated its vigorous commitment to expansion in the global emergency response and marine oil spill markets – with the additional acquisitions of Flyone Specialized Air Service and Dracares.

Flyone Specialised Air Service will become Ambipar Response Air, offering a range of aerial platforms for wildfire and other emergency response, whilst Dracares will continue to support clients in the oil and gas sector, specialising in offshore and onshore oil spill emergency care, operating its own vessels to combat oil spills, scouts for seismic ships, environmental data collection vessels and bathymetric surveys.

For more information visit www. ambipar.com or email sales.response@ ambipar.com

OSRL ACQUIRES SHETLAND BASE Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) has taken over the management of a response base on the west coast of Shetland.

The facility, based at Scalloway, houses equipment that can be rapidly deployed in the event of an incident, either offshore or nearshore.

Response equipment can be transported to the ports of Scalloway or Lerwick for deployment onto suitable vessels.

Shoreline equipment is stored in trailers ready to deploy at short notice to any areas that could potentially be impacted.

The base supports several west of Shetland operators and was established

by BP. OSRL and BP completed a thorough handover to ensure continuity of service under OSRL’s operatorship.

Robert Limb, OSRL Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased to announce the introduction of an OSRL base in Shetland.

“While we never want to face a situation requiring deployment, this important service provides an extra layer of protection when responding to incidents.

Its favourable location on the west coast of Shetland allows us to act quickly and efficiently.

EWS

“The base will be run on a daily basis by our trained contractors on Shetland and managed remotely from the OSRL Aberdeen office. Training courses will also be offered at the base for our contractors and other interested stakeholders on the island.”

For more Information: Emma Smillie: emmasmillie@ oilspillresponse.com Tel: +44 (0)23 8033 1551

BRIGGS ACQUIRES MAJORITY INTEREST IN WIND TURBINE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION PROVIDER Briggs Marine has acquired a majority stake in ARB Wind, a Fife-based, inspection, testing and certification business focussing on the wind energy industry.

ARB Wind has a reputation for providing a high-quality service to wind energy clients onshore and the new association with specialist marine services provider Briggs, will enable these skills to be transferred offshore.

Collieson Briggs, Managing Director of Briggs Marine Contractors Ltd commented: “The agreement with ARB Wind represents an exciting opportunity for Briggs to further its involvement in the offshore wind sector. Briggs is keen to build on its reputation for providing marine services across all aspects of the renewables industry and this new partnership with ARB Wind allows Briggs to provide a complete package in terms of maintenance services for wind farms, both above and below the waterline.”

Briggs and ARB Wind will collaborate closely to provide operations and maintenance services to the increasing

number of Scottish windfarms, with Briggs providing the marine expertise and project management capabilities to support expansion. With both companies based on the Forth Estuary, they are ideally placed to provide support as well as allowing developers to invest in the local supply chain.

Arran Bell, Managing Director of ARB Wind Limited commented: “We are delighted to be joining the Briggs Group this year in a joint commitment to provide enhanced offshore operations, inspection and maintenance services to the wind energy sector. Combining

Briggs extensive marine experience with our onshore expertise will offer the Scottish offshore market a unique integrated package of wind farm services.”

ARB Wind will remain an autonomous company, teaming with its network of regional, national, and international partners and will continue to target growth in its established onshore wind markets. It will benefit from the collaboration with Briggs in various upcoming bids with key clients in the offshore wind industry.

INTERSPILL 2022 - 21-23 JUNE 2022 Interspill is an important conference and exhibition for our marine members and manufacturers. This year it is to be held at the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre, Amsterdam from 21 – 23 June.

harbours and shipping and salvage which are shaping up well.

The following Association members are attending: OSRL, Vikoma, Elastec, Surf Cleaner, Ambipar, Empteezy, Lamor, Darcy,

NRC, Briggs so far.

The most recent Interspill newsletter follows this issue of Spill Alert!

More news from www.Interspill.org

So far exhibition bookings are above 2018 and more space is being made available and should reach 1400sqm sold.

There will be three main conference themes throughout. There are strong opening speakers.

The event has exhibitor led sector themed days focussing on clean seas, ports and

15

FUEL PRODUCTION AND STORAGE VESSELS A NECESSARY RISK IN OIL PRODUCTION? Around the world we have aged oil tankers being used as fuel storage vessels, fuel offloading and transfer vessels and holding vessels attached to oil platforms that are periodically off-loaded.

FPSO Cidade do Rio de Janiero whose hull cracked in 2019

The vessels used are usually retired tankers that no longer transport oil at sea, primarily as they are single skinned hulls so the risk of pollution from grounding in significant or are environmentally not able to access all ports due to environmental emissions.

The focus on the use of these vessels has increased over the last few years as the world’s eyes have turned on FSO Safer currently moored off Yemen.

Constructed in 1976 as an oil tanker and converted a decade later to be a floating storage facility for oil, the FSO Safer is moored about 4.8 nautical miles off the coast of Al Hodeidah Governorate.

The 376-metre-long vessel contains more than one million barrels of light crude oil – four times the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez. With no maintenance operations undertaken on the Safer since 2015 due to the conflict, its structural integrity has significantly deteriorated and the vessel is at imminent risk of spilling oil due to leakages or an explosion.

A significant spill would quickly surpass national capacity and resources to mount an effective spill response.

The result would be catastrophic, devastating the Yemen coast, destroying livelihoods and forcing a closure of the ports of Al Hodeidah and As Salif which are essential for the importation of commercial imports and life-saving humanitarian assistance. Depending on the season and prevailing wind and

FSO Safer – in much earlier times!

currents, the environmental impact would also affect Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia, and could disrupt vital shipping through the Bab alMandab Strait and the Red Sea. In the case of FSO Safer access to the vessel is difficult. Yemen is in a state of war with Houthi rebels. Their actions possibly supported by Iran, Libya and Hezbollah, have threatened Saudi Arabia who intervened in support of the Yemen government to protect their interests.

Consequently, whilst the government of Yemen is formally in control, the Houthi rebels have significant influence on how control is exercised. This has threatened the ability of the government to undertake the vital maintenance work on the FSO Safer. Consequently, she is now unmaintained and URGENT offloading is necessary to avoid a major environmental incident.

The UN, with considerable IMO support, have negotiated access to enable FSO Safer to be offloaded into another vessel.

This plan has been agreed by the Yemen

Government, UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council about a deal to transfer the oil from the FSO Safer. Mr Griffiths gave no details of the deal but Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, told reporters later that progress “as always in Yemen, needs to be solidified in order to be taken forward”.

For the sake of the environment let us all hope this initiative does achieve its goal and eliminates the risk FSO Safer currently presents.

In August 2019, Japanese offshore platform operator MODEC reported cracks in the hull of the FPSO Cidade do Rio de Janeiro causing a small oil leak.

The FPSO was one of the many offshore production facilities that Petrobras reported it would be decommissioning at maturing oil fields, but others remain in service around the globe.

Off the Nigerian coast on 3 February an explosion occurred on board FPSO Trinity Spirit, a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel built in 1976, she measured 1,105ft and had a capacity of 274,774dwt.

Following the explosion, a fire engulfed the vessel. Whilst it was not clear of the amount of oil on board the fire is thought to have consumed whatever it was carrying which are thought to be residues. The oil field that it served had not been is use for 2 years.

16

On board were a crew of 10 and it is thought that some survived. FPSO Trinity Spirit was converted into an FPSO vessel almost 50 years ago and its equipment was a contributory factor, along with the Nigerian oilfield operator going into receivership and, perhaps, regulatory and enforcement issues.

As more oil companies look to develop fields using redeployed FPSOs, the FPSO Trinity Spirit explosion should serve as a cautionary tale as to what may happen if asset integrity and safety issues on these ageing vessels is not prioritised.

FSO Trinity Spirit ablaze Feb 22 In UK waters, BP has operated the FPSO Foinhaven 118 miles West of Shetland. This FPSO has been working in this field since 1997 and has been plagued by a plethora of health and safety issues. Fortunately, regulatory pressure and BP have agreed to its decommissioning which will lead to different arrangements for this oil field or its decommissioning.

Around the world some over 200 vessels are deployed worldwide as FPSOs. Floating production, storage and offloading vessels are particularly effective in remote or deep water locations, where seabed pipelines are not cost effective. FPSOs eliminate the need to lay expensive long-distance pipelines from the processing facility to an onshore terminal. This can provide an economically attractive solution for smaller oil fields, which can be exhausted in a few years and do not justify the expense of installing a pipeline. Once the field is depleted, the FPSO can be moved to a new location.

New build FPSOs have a high initial cost (up to USD1 billion) but require limited maintenance. In addition, the ability to reposition/repurpose them means they can outlast the life of the production facility by decades. A cheaper alternative for smaller platforms is to convert an oil tanker or similar vessel at a cost below USD100 million.

With capital investment in oil and gas facilities likely to be less, rather than more, likely as we move to net zero there is a risk in each one that is deployed. Whilst most operators take the risk of them seriously some do not as in Trinity Spirit and are political pawns as in FPSO Safer.

Technology is helping owners to manage the risk they present.

Innovative technologies, coupled with developments of existing ones, have played a big part in maintaining the generally positive record for so long – not least by enabling new possibilities for future projects to be considered.

Part of the reason for the enduring hold of the FPSO approach on the market’s leading edge lies in its simplicity. An offshore production facility capable of accumulating and storing oil before periodically offloading it to tankers for transport to the mainland has obvious logistic and economic appeal.

Not only does this directly permit the rationalisation of shuttle tanker movements but, more fundamentally, it can also allow marginal oil fields, or those in deepwater areas at some physical distance from existing pipelines, to be developed. For the former, their ease of redeployment once economic viability is exhausted is the key, while for the latter, the cost of submerged pipelines is obviated.

However, much of the secret of FPSO future success lies in technological innovation. The era of floating production began in 1975, when a converted semi-submersible drilling rig – Transworld 58 – was deployed as the world’s first FPS on the Argyll field in the North Sea, offshore UK. Two years later, the first oil FPSO appeared on the Shell Castellon field, operating in 117m of water in the Spanish Mediterranean. Since then, the concept of floating production has blossomed, with the arrival of tension leg platforms (TLPs) and spars to add to the original floating production semi-submersible (FPSS) and FPSO fore-runners.

Nevertheless, FPSOs have made the greatest inroads and, accounting for 63% of all FPS installations, they remain the dominant force in the global floating production landscape.

There is likely to be an increase in FPSOs over the next decade or so: “More than $40 billion is expected to be spent on 123 floating production systems.”

According to a recent report by industry analyst Douglas-Westwood, in the period leading to 2012, more than $40 billion is expected to be spent on 123 floating production systems (FPS),

with about 95 FPSOs – accounting for 80% of this capital expenditure (capex) – to be installed around the globe. This represents significantly greater prospects for the sector than the preceding equivalent period, which saw a total of 85 FPS units installed, and is anticipated to see particular growth in floating installations in Asia, Australasia, South America and Western Europe.

Global FPSO expenditure is largely predicated on whether fields are to be developed by redeploying or rehabilitating existing units, converting additional tankers or commissioning new-builds. Within the 2008-2012 window of the Douglas-Westwood “World Floating Production Report”, from a market value perspective, the forecast is that Africa, Asia and South America will make up about 66% of the anticipated global FPS expenditure.

To address these challenges, ABS has brought together leading companies in the sector forming a new working group that will review the current issues and produce outcomes that assist with the evaluation and potential acceptance of life extension. The working group consists of Chevron, Shell Trading Company, Petrobras, MODEC, and SBM, as well as The Bahamas Maritime Authority, the Republic of the Marshall Islands Registry, and the U.S Coast Guard 8th District.

“Structural Integrity is one of our main Process Safety Barriers and we all face the same challenges on aging units,” said Ivar Houthuysen, SBM Assets Integrity Director. “It is of utmost importance and in everybody’s interest to share experience, knowledge, ideas and that we agree on a best way forward to maintain structural integrity in a safe and efficient manner.”

The group will undertake five projects aimed at using technology to tackle a range of FPSO safety issues. The issues to be reviewed include composite materials repairs for offshore structures, life extension of wire ropes, gauging management software, applications of photogrammetry and 3D Lidar Laser Scanning, and the role of artificial intelligence in corrosion analysis.

17

PERU OIL SPILL

AGED INFRASTRUCTURE, A TSUNAMI AND POOR MANAGEMENT COMBINE TO CAUSE AN MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT.

In the early hours of 15 January, a rupture occurred in an underwater pipeline which sent crude oil gushing into the ocean around the offshore buoy through which the Italian-flagged tanker Mare Doricum was discharging to La Pampilla, Peru’s biggest oil refinery operated by Repsol, just north of the capital, Lima. (see map below).

for the spill, said Manuel Pulgar Vidal, the country’s former environment minister and now global leader of climate and energy at WWF. However Peru has a poor record of holding big business to account for pollution, he says. “Expectations for getting [decent] compensation are very low.”

Peru accuses Repsol of delayed response to the spillage. It say the contingency plan for the spill was only initiated the day after it occurred. This is denied by the company, which said in a statement that it “activated its contingency plan and communicated the facts to the relevant authorities … the same night as the ship’s accident”.

Through the State Prosecutor, the Government have barred four Repsol officials from leaving the country while it investigates whether the oil company properly maintained its system of underwater pipelines that feed the refinery.

The spillage hit, as coastal spills often do, local communities, local fishing communities (estimated as 2000 fishermen) and the sensitive marine ecosystems that sit along this coastline.

The incident has not shown the industry in a good light and has raised the question of how environmental crimes should be punished during a time of climate crisis and catastrophic wildlife loss. Currently Repsol, the captain of the tanker and the Peruvian state all blame one another.

Under Peru’s strict liability law, Repsol is ultimately responsible 18

While the oil company initially said a tsunami created by the eruption of a volcano in Tonga had triggered the spill, it later blamed the Mare Doricum, which it claims shifted its position during the oil discharge, allegations which the tanker company has denied.

The ship has been seized by the Peruvian authorities and the vessel’s Italian captain, Giacomo Pisani, has been included in the investigation. Pisani alleges that there were a series of irregularities in the discharge process and claimed the company’s containment barriers were not long enough.

Assigning blame has been further complicated because the Peruvian navy did not issue a tsunami warning after the Tonga volcanic eruption, unlike

neighbouring Ecuador and Chile.

While the argument over responsibility for the spill continues, the environmental and social consequences ripple outwards. The UN’s special rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, who spent a week in Peru last month, says the slow reaction of the company and the authorities “aggravated the impacts” on the environment and the people who depend on it for food.

The effects on coastal fishing communities in Aucallama, about 30 miles north of the spill, have been overwhelming, as the tide of viscous crude clogs up the rock pools and cliffside crags where they catch crab, octopus, sea bass and grunt.

Fishing came to an abrupt halt, says Marcelo Muñoz, 60, who has been making a living by casting a hook and line from the cliffside since he was 12. The fish were so plentiful that he could earn more than $50 a day selling directly to the seaside restaurants serving ceviche to summertime beachgoers.

Now Muñoz and nearly 50 fellow artisanal fishers rely on food donations, which are shared in an “olla común”, a makeshift soup kitchen flanked by rows of empty clapboard eateries, all deserted during the busiest months of the year.

They are among about 2,000 people living off fishing who have been affected along a 50mile stretch of coastline, says

Juan Carlos Sueiro, fisheries director at the conservation group Oceana Peru. “Businesses associated with the summer months, such as restaurants, parasols and transport have all been abruptly cancelled since mid-January and we believe they should be compensated too,” he says.

On Friday, the company said it was trying to help about 4,100 people affected by the spill and had handed out 6,599 vouchers each worth £100 to affected families.

There is not enough information to assess the social impacts of the oil spills, says Orellana.

“This is a huge gap that needs to be addressed because people depend on the seas for sustenance, livelihoods and food.”

The long-term effect on the ecosystem is even harder to calculate. While the oil is less visible, the toxic impact lingers.

Many initially died from the oil covering their nostrils, says Giancarlo Inga Díaz, a vet working for Sernanp. “In the following days and weeks, the oil ruins the quality of the feathers and they cease to be waterproof. When that happens, the animals die of hypothermia.”

Others starve because they can no longer dive for fish, Inga Díaz says, or, over time, may become poisoned from ingesting toxins as they use their beaks to clean their feathers. “We believe that this pattern [of bird deaths] will continue in the long term,” he says.

Repsol estimates the clean-up will cost $65m. The company has paid more than $400,000 in environmental fines but more are expected.

Pulgar Vidal says Peru’s environmental assessment and enforcement agency should fine Repsol for the current cleanup and also order the firm to

“adopt permanent monitoring” for at least the next five years.

“Sadly, it is impossible to recover all the oil after a spill.

At least 30% will remain in the ocean,” he says.

A “culture of impunity” and a lack of effective regulation is hugely harmful in one of the world’s most biodiverse nations, Pulgar Vidal says, adding: “We have the laws, we have good oversight agencies – the problem is enforcement.”

The global trend towards environmental justice in much of the world, he says, has “not reached Peru’s justice system”, which has a chequered record of enforcing environmental fines.

Orellana says the institutions, norms and implementation need to be strengthened to deal with ecological incidents so that the “people who are affected, the nature that is affected, can be properly remediated and prevention can be a reality”.

At La Isla Pescadores, a protected marine reserve 37 miles north of Lima and home to almost 200,000 seabirds, park guards are recovering between 10 and 20 dead birds from the water every day.

Tonga (red spot) is some distance from Peru, did the tsunami have such and effect.

It may have made the incident worse but was it the cause?Only an inquiry will tell!

19

CASE STUDIES

HOW TO PROTECT A JETTY OR PIER FROM AN OIL SPILL BACKGROUND:

OBJECTIVE:

Our client based on the Mediterranean Coast has a fuel jetty and needed a permanently installed oil spill response solution that can be deployed and operated easily by 1 or 2 personnel. The client required a system that could adjust automatically to the large tidal range.

To provide a complete boom system to be rapidly deployed prior to fuel transfer operations taking place. The system must be able to cope with changing sea levels and conditions and need minimal operating personnel. It must be possible to leave the boom system permanently located at the jetty and in the water ready for use.

SOLUTION: The system supplied consisted of 4 Foam Filled Sentinel Booms with fixed VikoSeal hammerheads mounted midway on the outermost booms. This created a Primary Containment Zone of approximately 30m x 5m.

The fixed booms were installed under the Jetty connecting to the piles with slider mechanisms to allow the boom to rise and fall with the tide and swell.

The sliders are attached to the piles using stainless steel bands that require no modification to the piles, making them ideal to retrofit to existing installations.

The VikoSeal Booms integrated with the fixed boom can be raised when not in use and lowered into position once the vessel is alongside and prior to loading/unloading operations commencing.

More details from: E: kmurray@vikoma.com T: +44 (0) 1983 201882 W:www.vikoma.com

EFFECTIVE USE OF OIL SPILL EATER II CUSTOMER: DUNTON ENVIRONMENTAL Dunton Environmental – they challenge traditional thinking in the construction industry and continuously develop new ideas to solve complex environmental ground and contamination problems to deliver their clients real programme and cost benefits. Services include remediation contracting, waste management, Japanese knotweed treatment, soil & water treatment as well as contaminated land assessments.

20

CHALLENGE: To efficiently & safely accelerate the reduction in TPH levels of hydrocarbon contaminated soils onsite in order to enable their future use. The soil is initially screened to remove any builder’s rubble and deleterious materials. It is then treated according to the chemical nature of the soils, either by way of: accelerated bioremediation to degrade any residual organic pollutants such as TPH and PAH (including Benzo (a) pyrene); or by the addition of Dunton’s chemical oxidation compounds which induce chemical reduction.

OSE II SOLUTION The Dunton team were interested to understand how effective Oil Spill Eater II (OSE II) could be at accelerating the bioremediation of hydrocarbons & ran an evaluation on an initial small quantity of contaminated soil. The accelerated reduction in TPH values met Dunton’s requirements & they agreed to implement the use of OSE II on larger scale bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated ex-situ soil stockpiles.

RESULT former works, in ground tanks or similar. Dunton has developed a rapid treatment technology for a wide variety of chemical pollutants in soils.

APPLICATION METHOD Using a combination of OSE II with natural water, this is then sprayed towards soils that are being aerated to improve the oxygen levels within the soils which along with OSE II improve the conditions for microorganisms to naturally grow within the soils. This increase in microbial activity within the soils accelerates the biodegradation of hydrocarbons with the end result only being CO2 & water.

As a result of using OSE II to reduce the TPH & PAH contamination levels within hazardous soils from a variety of sites across the UK it has provided Dunton’s clients with a more efficient and quicker form of treating their contaminated soils providing them a cost benefit and a certainty that they can meet their project’s timeline. All treated contaminated soils are reused for various restoration projects in the local area to contribute towards a circular economy and improving sustainability within the construction sector.

A&S International Ltd: E: hello@aands-international.com T: +44 (0)118 930 4321

APPLICATION Chemical pollutants Hydrocarbon contaminants are common on most brownfield developments, often the result of

LOCH ETIVE SUBSEA CABLE INSTALLATION The beautiful location of Loch

Marine deliver cost effective and

Etive was not without its

sustainable solutions to the power

challenges, namely the air draft

cable industry.

and shallow water restrictions under the Connel Bridge at the

More details from:

famous Falls of Lora. For this reason, Briggs Marine selected

T: +44 (0)1592 872939 E:

the shallow drafted Forth Jouster

enquiries@briggsmarine.com

and Harry McGill from our fleet,

W: www.briggsmarine.com

which provided an efficient cable installation solution.

Briggs Marine have safely and successfully completed the installation of a 1700m subsea power cable across Loch Etive on behalf of Green Highland Renewables. This subsea link has been designed to connect three run-of-river hydroelectric power schemes to the electricity distribution network. Great teamwork with Green Highland Renewables ensured this project was completed on schedule under COVID-19 restrictions and the glare of some welcome Scottish sunshine.

This project builds on our relationship with Green Highland Renewables, following a successful cable installation across the deep waters of land locked loch Tay three years ago. This type of installation further underlines Briggs Marine as a major cable installer and maintainer in North West Europe, designing and producing innovative solutions to complex problems.

Our highly skilled workforce, services and fleet ensure Briggs

21

ISAS UPDATE AND INLAND CONFERENCE

ISAS RAISING THE STANDARD of a standard set of questions, based upon the categories applied for, and finally the

Now that we have seen the end of all COVID-19 restrictions, the ISAS Audit Team are now able to fully engage in working with both new and existing companies to complete their accreditations and re-accreditations respectively. During the COVID restriction period ISAS have taken the opportunity to review and update the accreditation process, companies seeking accreditation or re-accreditation mow go through a three-stage process which involves starting with :-

(a) qualifying criteria, which involves a due diligence process, moving onto the (b) Assessment which consists of a visit to the operational site, and requires the completion

(c) award of the accreditation, which is normally given for three-years, but is subject to interim site visits by our Auditors during the three-year period.

two companies awaiting audits.

On the Land-based companies, we welcomed the Ideal Response Group and Compass Environmental as newly certified companies, and the re-accreditation of AES Marconi and MEL Environmental; overall the scheme membership is steadily increasing and now stands at sixty-two with a further four land-based companies currently going through the qualifying criteria stage.

These changes will help to raise and

All the latest information relating to

maintain the high standard which is

the ISAS Scheme can be found on our

expected from ISAS accredited companies,

recently launched ISAS website (www.

and who in turn can deliver a quality

isasaccreditation.org). We are also on

service to their end-users.

LinkedIn.

During this period ISAS have had the

So, if you have not heard from our Audit

opportunity in welcoming onto the Scheme

Team yet, you will do shortly, and if you’re

a number of new members covering

a company thinking of joining the Scheme,

land and marine operations; Lerwick

then we will be happy to hear from you.

Harbour Authority, Shetlands, has recently successfully been accredited to provide its

Further information on the work of ISAS

own emergency response.

and the Scheme can be found on the ISAS website (www.isasaccreditation.org) or

In addition EnQuest, Sullom Voe, have

contact Neil Marson, Executive Director

completed their re-accreditation,

on neil.marson@isasaccreditation.org or

increasing the number of ISAS Marine

Mobile 07889714828.

accredited companies to ten, with a further

UK AND IRELAND SPILL ASSOCIATION INLAND CONFERENCE - 28 APRIL – UKIFDA EXPO, THE TERRACE, LIVERPOOL

This year we are able to have a face-toface Inland Conference! We have decided to hold it at UKIFDA Liverpool which is the liquid fuels distribution industry annual event.

22

UKIFDA Expo takes place on 27th and 28th April 2022 at The Exhibition Centre, Liverpool. The show is regarded by those in the industry as the place to launch new products and services, meet clients and do business. It will have a string focus on Future Fuels and is a popular event that many of our members attend.

Our Inland Conference will be held in The Terrace and is aimed at being a useful networking event as well as an opportunity to catch up on what is happening in our industry.

The event is FREE for members to attend, there is a charge of £100 + VAT for those who wish to Exhibit and there is space for eight pull ups. If you wish to attend please register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-inland-conference-tickets-292452402007 You will have to register to attend UKIFDA Expo, which is free: https://whova.com/portal/registration/ueff_202204/ Two events in one!

For those already in Liverpool we will be dining out on 27 April. Let me know if you would like to join us and I will sort a suitable venue.

23

WORKING GROUPS REPORT Our working groups are proving a good method for members to direct the activity of the Association to their benefit/interest. They meet at least quarterly and help to direct the work of the Association!

MARINE AND MANUFACTURERS WORKING GROUP (NINE MEMBER COMPANIES) We have been working with members to optimise the opportunity attendance at Interspill presents inJune. We are going to be hosting a Britain is Great Day on Weds 22 June!

The group is working on a draft standard for temporary tanks used in spill response. Once we have developed this standard we will then concentrate on using the same format of document for skimmers.

We are also planning an onwater Marine Event in late September or October.

INSURANCE WORKING GROUP (6 MEMBER COMPANIES) The group sent a reasonably strong set of suggestions for amended text to Land Contamination Risk Management in December 2021.

These particularly requested rewording the text in the section titled ‘Deal with new pollution’.

We are particular to see removal of the words ‘return the site to its original state’.

The group have suggested: ‘suitably mitigate identified impacts to health and the environment and other identified receptors’ where appropriate comply with the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations (UKEireSpill which require a risk assessment process to be followed) When LCRM Stage 1 talks about remediation it does not encourage the

24

use of a risk based approach which we

have strongly objected to and have

It helps that some of the members

Registered Environmental Technician

suggested following the risk based

have been involved in the MV X-Press

Registered Environmental Practitioner

approach throughout Stage 1,2 and 3 of the

Pearl incident which saw the loss of

Chartered Environmentalist

guidance.

one container full of nurdles and have witnessed, at first hand, the impact this has

The group have met in January and

We are awaiting their feedback to our

had on the shoreline but also on the marine

February and is now working on a training

comments which is currently with EA legal

environment.

and competency matrix that may map a

team.

We have also submitted to the

career in spill response or in brownfield

consultation on the Marine Litter Scotland

remediation.

We have all contributed to the consultation

Strategic Plan and spoken to Keep

on mobile plant permits.

Northern Ireland Beautiful working group.

The goal is to have some document to go out for industry wide consultation in May

PLASTIC POLLUTION WORKING GROUP (8 MEMBER COMPANIES)

Our work is having impact outside of

so that we can have feedback before the

DEFRA/EA world and we are in touch with

Autumn.

British Plastic Federation, Rivers Trust, Marine Conservation Society, Seas-at-Risk, Ocean Generation and to NE P&I club and

If you wish to join any of the working

are looking to extend our reach, through

group then please do let Mark Orr know:

our members, further.

info@ukeirespill.org

We have joined Operation Clean Sweep (managed by British Plastic Federation) – supporting better management of plastic products by those who handle it in the supply chain.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WORKING GROUP (SMALL START UP GROUP) Through collaborative working this new group is seeking to generate and evolve career pathways for those involved in spill response or brownfield remediation. This is to encourage people to join our industry from others and provide structure to the We have held very productive meetings on 12 Jan and 15 Feb which resulted in a set of ambitious goals and an action plan.

The members are actively working on delivering the Action plan and have invited Universities, CEFAS, Regulators to get involved in the work we are doing.

career of those within the industry . This will be supported by participating in career development through independently assessed qualifications such as :

WORKIN GROUP REPOR 25

PRODUCT NEWS

AYLES FERNIE LAUNCH NEW UNDERSLUNG DISPERSANT SPRAY SYSTEM Ayles Fernie part of the Darcy Group of companies have recently successfully completed testing of their new Arial spray system over the Moray Firth Scotland. The STRATUS is an underslung dispersant spray system which can be operated from any “helicopter of opportunity” which is equipped with a cargo hook. Carried as an under slung load by a single strop & harness, the system incorporates its own power supply and is controlled via a simple pilot/crew operated control box. stability of the system in flight.

Manufactured from 5083 Aluminium keeps weight to a minimum and the reload time is only 5minutes with optional ground support pump.

Ayles Fernie can currently offer the system in 2000L or 1000L Versions 450kg & 282kg respective empty weights.

The 450 LPM pump is powered by a Yanmar Diesel Engine, the swath width can be configured to give 15m or 30m via maximum of 11 Nozzles with droplet size ranging from 600 to 1300 Microns.

More details from: The system can be jettisoned in

transit/spraying speeds. The Mass

an emergency and requires no

of the system is carefully controlled

https://www.aylesfernie.co.uk/

modifications to the helicopter. The

to maximise dispersant load,

Tel: 01732 762338

STRATUS consists of a lightweight

rotorcraft fuel capacity and the

marine grade aluminium dispersant tank and frame which supports an electric start diesel engine, driving a centrifugal pump and a 10m Spray Boom assembly. The outer sections of the boom can be removed reducing the span to 6m if required. The spray nozzles are fully configurable to provide a wide range of application rates and swath widths to suit almost any spill situation.

The STRATUS Tank has a unique aerodynamic profile to reduce drag, maximising fuel efficiency and 26

PRODUCT NEWS

VIKOMA HI-SPRINT UPDATE Building on our patented technology, Super HI Sprint has undergone further development version making it ideally suited to small boats and protected waters (ports, harbours, terminals and coastal waters), ASTM F1523.

With patented technology, Super HI Sprint offers a unique system for reel end single point inflation using just one boat.

Deployment of 250m takes less than 10 minutes and can be done with two people. By using just one boat and less personnel than other systems, costs are minimised.

Super HI Sprint has previously been available from 1000 to 1500mm and is now available as 700mm making it ideally suited to coastal waters.

This compact lightweight system, encompassing an aluminium reel requires very little deck space which increases availability of vessels of opportunity. Super HI Sprint saves operators time and money, not only in a spill but in training exercises too. Time is money and with quicker deployment than other

boom systems and less people involved, costs and health and safety risks are minimised.

channel, https://youtu.be/ wxX8ZzNZ5Mk More details from:

What’s not to like?! Take a look at our website or see the system in action on our YouTube

T +44 (0)1983 201882 E: sales@vikoma.com

27

PLASTICS

WHY WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION! Plastic Pollution Working Group

As you may be aware last year, in conjunction with the EA, the Association formed a Plastic Pollution Working Group that evolved a response plan to plastic pollution and marine debris on the coastline and inland waters that was trialled successfully and is now deployable.

The response plan was designed to respond to marine litter on different types of shorelines using debris recovery techniques ranging from vacuum recovery to mechanical or manual collection. These incidents are generally small in quantity often <500kg but their impact can be considerable. Strandline spread can be over several miles of coastline. It is important to recover it quickly before the opportunity to do so is lost as the impact of plastic in the marine environment is well understood.

Responders can be reached through www.isasaccreditation.org and are based nationwide and will have a shoreline module as part of that MCA Oil Spill Response certification or will be able to apply for accreditation module Category 9 Shoreline Plastic Pollution and Marine Debris Recovery through ISAS. Our initial work highlighted that we could respond well. However it was clear that there is much more that needs to be done. During this period the MV X-Press Pearl fire and complete loss of the vessel and its containers occurred in Sri Lanka. Several containers including plastic nurdles within them. As one journalist wrote – one container millions of problems.

From this incident so much learning has resulted, not least the impact that

Early stage trials of trommels and suction equipment May 2021 (PPWG) such significant uncontrolled loss of nurdles can cause. We have covered the lost of the MV X-Press Pearl in the last two issues of Spill Alert and there is more in this issue.

every day for a year or A football stadium filled with plastic every day.

So why must plastic be raised as a major issue.

Today, there is no place on Earth immune to this problem. A majority of the litter and debris that covers our beaches comes from storm drains and sewers, as well as from shorelines and recreational activities such as picnicking and beachgoing.

Abandoned or discarded fishing gear is also a major problem because this trash can entangle, injure, maim, and drown marine wildlife and damage property It is a large and growing problem.

Estimated as 23 million metric tons of plastic waste per year – which excludes ocean and disaster debris.

Just one of so many ‘garbage patches’ that surround our coast but are a whole different sacle in size on the ocean (Photo 96616710 / Garbage © Ethan Daniels | Dreamstime.com) The issue is the rising tonnage of plastic in the seas. The growth of plastic production is outpacing the world’s ability to keep up with collecting it.

But…..

National Geographic forecast 22 growing to 58 million tons of plastic waste per year – BUT this INCLUDES commitments from governments and industry……..and we know just how reliable they are to be fulfilled.

If we do not change behaviour and if pledges made by governments are not honoured then 99 million tons of uncontrolled plastic waste would end up in the environment by 2030.

Members of ITOPF on site in Sri Lanka sampling on an beach impacted by the loss of nurdles from MV X-Press Pearl (ITOPF)

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To visualize this: A rubbish truck tipping a load of plastic into the ocean every minute

Thousands of plastic bottles clogging up seaside locations, along with cans, glass and crisp packets, with 3,298 pieces picked up for every kilometre cleaned, though this is falling due to NGO action and beach clean ups the source is growing! (Photo 113339782 / Beach Garbage © Hanohiki | Dreamstime.com)

The American Chemistry Council in 2019 forecast that new production of plastic is forecast to more than double by 2050—increasing to 756 million tons anticipated in 2050 from 308 million tons produced in 2018.

working with NGOs, to resolve as the plastic waste sits on their streets, in their rivers and on their shorelines and they will be under pressure from their residents and businesses to resolve the issue.

It is already and significant problem that governments are failing to address and will become a much larger problem in the future!

Can this be done.

Currently only 9% or plastic waste is recycled.

Some of this is incinerated at energy from waste plants.

Some is still exported – despite statements that it is not!

Some is reprocessed to go back into production Some is made into alternative products – benches, posts , garden furniture etc However none of this is sufficient!

UK Government is talking about recovering 100% of plastic produced by 2030 so that it can be reprocessed into new plastic by 2030 – is this realistic!@!@*!

If we accept that UK Government has too many other priority issues to resolve – cost of living, NHS backlog, failing social care, war in Ukraine and its knock on effect, fuels crisis, climate change and global warming, etc etc etc . It means that plastic is going to slide down their agenda.

Well, yes, actually it can but it needs a larger and more immediate effort than is currently being put in to achieve this. Government can only play a legislative role in this.

Simple steps have to be made but must happen soon:

Government

– legislation (drafted but not presented due to COVID) to enforce extended producer responsibility – this adds all of the environmental costs to the product through its product life cycle.

It creates a fund industry can use to implement collection, reprocessing and reuse processes that ensure plastic is collected and reused.

Government

– stop single use plastic production except for medical use. Simple law needs to do that.

Government – force producers

to use alternatives to plastic for packaging and protection of goods wherever possible

Local Government –

introduce deposit return schemes for plastic – particularly relevant to plastic bottles and containers.

Local Government

– through contractual obligations restrict the use of plastic and ban single use plastics, prioritise recycling targets, increase availability of recycling opportunities, work with local waste management contracts and contractors to be more imaginative in collection, segregation and sale of recycled plastic.

Local Government and NGOs – work together as partners

to support all of these initiative on a local community basis; generating awareness, gently encouraging personal responsibility, making recycling straightforward and

NGOs

– supporting local communities in recycling and reuse schemes, ensuring collection equipment is where it should be and is being emptied by waste contractors, in school education, litter sweeps, education and community initiatives.

Residents – minimise use of

plastic, dispose of responsibly, set an example to children and others.

If we all play our part then we can deal with the growing problem of increasing plastic pollution.

However ,the Government must find time to bring in legislation that makes it possible.

The longer it delays then then the harder it will be to keep plastic under control!

So it is back to UK local government,

We must and can all do our bit! It really does help! (Photo 143420358 / Beach Garbage © Masr | Dreamstime.com)

29

GUIDANCE ON TANK CLEANING FOR TANKS CONTAINING RED DIESEL THIS GUIDANCE HAS BEEN PREPARED JOINTLY FOR THE OIL CARE CAMPAIGN BY UK AND IRELAND SPILL ASSOCIATION, UK AND IRELAND FUEL DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY. This will mean that some end users and suppliers will need to cease use of red diesel and prepare their tanks to hold other fuels. It is essential to ensure that any evidence of the dye used as a marker in red diesel is removed. This will not be achieved without cleaning the tank and aggressively flushing the fill and delivery lines.

This guidance should ensure this can be done safely, with minimal risk of a fuel spillage and ensures that any waste (fuel and washings) is disposed of safely and in accordance with relevant legislation.

1. BACKGROUND The Finance Bill 2021 and subsequent secondary legislation restricts the entitlement to use red diesel (Gas Oil) and rebated biofuels from 1 April 2022 to only the following: For vehicles and machinery used in agriculture, horticulture, fish farming and forestry. This includes allowing vehicles used for agriculture to be used for cutting verges and hedges, snow clearance and gritting roads

lighting of clubhouses, changing rooms etc.)

As fuel for all marine craft refuelling and operating in the UK (including fishing and water freight industries), except for propelling private pleasure craft in Northern Ireland For powering the machinery (including caravans) of travelling fairs and circuses

To propel passenger, freight or maintenance vehicles designed to run on rail tracks for heating and electricity generation in non-commercial premises - this includes the heating of homes and buildings such as places of worship, hospitals and townhalls; off-grid power generation; and non-propulsion uses on permanently- moored houseboats For maintaining community amateur sports clubs as well as golf courses (including activities such as ground maintenance, and the heating and

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Registered fuel suppliers that switch a fuel tank from red to white diesel will need to flush out the tank and supply lines until no trace of marked rebated fuel remains. This will help to ensure compliance and minimise the risk that white diesel that has had the full duty rate paid on it is contaminated with the red diesel marker. (https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/reform-of-red-dieselentitlements/reform-of-red-dieseland-other-rebated-fuels-entitlement) Please note that this is NOT the end of red diesel, however its use is severely restricted from 1 April 2022.

However, it is the duty of each tank owner to assess and manage the risks of the work being done, select appropriate, and qualified contractors and ensure that the work is conducted safely on their site and that waste is removed and disposed of in accordance with national and regional regulations.

2. PREPARATION A. FUEL LEVELS This work should be planned to ensure to fuel levels are decreased to minimise waste and that competent specialist contractors are booked and have time to plan and complete the work prior to the 1 April deadline.

Fuel levels should be reduced to 10% of tank contents. This should ensure any suction lines remain beneath the residual fuel level but importantly leave any sludge deposits within the tank. The sludges may contain bacteria, rust and other debris that builds up over time between cleaning intervals. Leaving it in the tanks prevent exporting potential fuel issues to a tanker, another tank or to a customer.

On the day of the work the contractor should have access to the tank lid, fill lines, delivery lines and vent lines as they will need to isolate the fill and delivery line.

With the tank content run down this is

an ideal time to have any maintenance on this tank completed.

B. ACCESS TO THE TANK LID FOR ABOVE GROUND TANKS If red diesel is held in an above ground tank, access to the tank lid should be managed to ensure it is safe as this will involve working from height.

If there is no permanent access, such as a stairway with handrails, permanent ladder access to a platform with handrails around the tank lid, scaffolding may be required to be erected by an accredited scaffolding supplier. Prior to use any temporary scaffold should have a SCAFFTAG certificate attached to it issued by a competent scaffolding inspector.

NOTE: Manned entry should only be through a minimum 600mm diameter opening with breathing apparatus and trained personnel

C. MANAGE THE AREA OF WORK Work on the tank may take several hours and possibly up to one day. It will release fuel vapours and involve the movement of liquid under low levels of pressure or vacuum. Barrier protection should therefore be available to segregate the work area to that of general site staff.

D. BRIEFING OF CONTRACTORS The contractor’s work will involve the transfer of fuel products and movement of liquid under pressure or vacuum. Only Competent contractors should assess the risk of all planned work and produce method statements and Risk Assessments (RAMS) to demonstrate how their staff will manage the risks. These should be available to the tank owner for their approval prior to work commencing.

Their trained and competent staff should take due care but accidents can happen. The tank owner should conduct a site induction to ensure that the location of site drains, interceptors and spill kits are highlighted as well as the availability of first aid kits, first aid trained staff and welfare facilities. This induction should enable the contractor to explain how the work will be done.

3. TANK CLEANING A. CLEANLINESS IS ESSENTIAL The dye in red diesel is persistent and can be hard to remove from any tank that has stored red diesel for any length of time. To comply with legislation cleaning must be effective to prevent red dye being transferred to the next delivery of fuel put into the tank.

Before any works start an explosimeter test must be taken by an independent contractor/company to ensure the tank is Gas free (below 10% LEL) and a certificate issued which lasts for 24hours.

An ADR vacuum tanker with jet wash unit and hoses is generally sufficient to undertake the tank cleaning.

However, all sludge in the tanks must be removed and all surfaces of the tank must be cleaned, which includes the roof. In larger tanks, particularly in old, pitted steel tanks and those with internal bracing, scrubbing with brushes and pressure hoses will be required.

In general, tanks over 20,000 litre capacity, where high pressure from a tanker jet wash unit may not reach each the end of the tank or the tank roof with sufficient pressure to remove the dye, then manned entry tank cleaning may be necessary. This will require a confined space man entry and can only be undertaken by specialist contractors who have the safe system of work to ensure this

high-risk work is safely conducted by trained technicians using Breathing Apparatus with the correct escape equipment in place.

In smaller tanks the operation will generally require two persons to complete safely, particularly when cleaning above ground tanks when the operative has to climb up a scaffold, stairway or ladder and work some distance from the tanker.

B. THE TANK CLEANING OPERATION Using a vacuum tanker i.

Once the tank lid has been removed and a Gas free Certificate has been issued the contents of the tank should be checked to ensure fuel level and the fuel is that expected.

At some point the tank may have been used to store other products which are more volatile and require specialist equipment and contractors to handle. ii.

Any fuel in the tank and the sludge in the base of the tank should be removed using vacuum suction hoses placed into the tank. Some lubrication using water from the jet wash unit is usually necessary. This needs to be continued until all of the sludge has been removed. Where there are persistent clumps of sludge these may need to be loosened using higher pressure jets of water. iii.

Once all of the tank base and ends of the tank are clearly visible the cleaning may commence. Using

31

the jet wash unit to spray water in a systematic pattern along the length of the tank, including the roof, to wash the tank allowing water to collect in the base of the tank. Remove all liquid using suction hoses and repeat the process. It is important that all of the tank surface is washed several times to remove the residue of the dye. iv.

The operator should ensure that all water is removed. The tank owner should inspect the tank before the tanker leaves site to ensure all dye, sludge and water has been removed as water may contaminate subsequent deliveries of fuel into the tank.

C. USING A BUTTERWORTH OR ROTATING TANK CLEANING DEVICE i.

Some contractors may use a rotary tank cleaning device to undertake the cleaning of cylindrical tanks as the rotary head should ensure that all areas of a tank is washed. ii.

A rotary head is used in conjunction with a vacuum tanker and its suction hoses will remove the liquid used to undertake the clean and removal of the sludge on the base of the tank. iii.

Once rotary head cleaning has been completed it is important that all residual sludge and any liquid is removed.

iv. pump.

Reconnect the fuel line to the

v.

With the line still disconnected from the tank flush the pump through with diesel until the fuel from the pump start to clear. vi.

Change all pump filters and continue to flush the fuel line until all fuel delivered by the pump shows no red dye in the fuel. vii.

When this is the case reconnect the fuel line to the pump having changed any gaskets or seals.

E. FLUSHING OF FUEL FILL LINES Repeat the above process for the fuel delivery line less the parts involving the pump.

Change any gaskets or seals on the fill line.

F. TEST THE INTEGRITY OF THE TANK, ITS FILL AND DELIVERY LINES Once the tank, fill and delivery lines have been cleaned and are reconnected a pressure test of the tank, the fuel and delivery line should be conducted to check the integrity of the reassembled lines and tank prior to receiving a delivery of fuel.

A certificate of integrity should be received from the company conducting the test.

iv.

The tank owner should inspect the tank before the tanker leaves site to ensure all sludge and dye has been removed from the tank.

He should ask the contractor for a Tank Cleaning Certificate.

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4. REFILLING THE TANK WITH FUEL Once the tank owner has confirmed the integrity of the tank then it is possible to organise the re-filling so that it may return to use.

The tank should be filled in the usual way.

However, it is likely that the pump will need to be primed and any air in the pump will need to be removed before it can commence delivery. This may need the pump specialist to attend to undertake this. (Note they may have been involved in the pump aspects of the tank cleaning operation) If this is the case this is an ideal opportunity to check the calibration of the pump to ensure it is delivery correctly. If this is undertaken, then a calibration certificate will be issued.

As the work done is a requirement of an Act of Parliament the tank owner should retain documentation issued by the specialist contractors involved in this operation:

i.

The fuel delivery line is hard to clean as it is difficult to remove water from them if that is used as the sole cleaning medium.

iii.

To remove any residual water in the line, flush with diesel until the fuel at the pump end of the line is clear and when left standing shows no presence of water in the fuel line.

The tank owner should receive a hazardous waste consignment note from the carrier that states the volume and type of waste (identified in writing and with a waste code) removed from their site, the waste carrier and their registration number and the licensed waste facility where it is to be taken. In due course, the tank owner should receive notification from the waste site or the carrier that that the waste has been disposed of by the waste site.

5. DOCUMENTATION

D. FLUSHING OF FUEL DELIVERY LINE AND FUEL PUMP.

ii.

Once the fuel line has been isolated from the tank, and the pump or end connection.

A vacuum tanker to flush the line with water until it runs clear of any dye.

be disposed of at a Licensed waste facility. It is the tank owner’s legal responsibility to ensure this, and the tanker company must be registered as waste carrier.

Tank Cleaning Certificate Certificate of Integrity following testing at the completion of the tank clean and flushing of fill and delivery

G. WASTE DISPOSAL Whichever method of tank cleaning is used, the disposal of waste is a critical part of the process.

All waste removed will include fuel, sludge and washings which must be treated as hazardous waste under Duty if Care paperwork and

lines.

Hazardous Waste Consignment Note for all fuel, sludge and washings removed from site including proof of disposal.

Calibration Certificate (if fuel pump is recalibrated as part of this operation) Gas free Certificate RAMS

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS NEW DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT NRC Mark Shepherd, our Vice Chair, has been appointed Director of Operations for NRC. Mark joined NRC as Emergency Response Manager for the International Group. In that time he has been supporting and developing existing response contracts as well as attracting new business and has recently started to oversee and manage the Operations Function.

Mark was promoted Director of Operations from 1 April 2022. Mark will continue to oversee the Emergency response function working closely with the International team to develop and grow the NRC worldwide.

More details at: https://nrcc.com

VIKOMA - INVESTING IN TECHNICAL EXPERTISE A key to the success of Vikoma is their continued focus on improvement and technical compliance. With the increasing complexity of some of our work, we have invested in our technical resource as follows:

NEIL PLATER

PETER BADHAM

New role of Technical Director

Our New Engineering Manager

Neil has been with Vikoma for over 20 years. With his extensive knowledge of our products and spill technology combined with technical expertise, Neil is now working closely with the sales team and customers on projects in a new role as Technical Director. As our technical expert Neil also leads product development and legislative technical compliance. This upfront investment gives customers confidence that Vikoma products always meet expectations and the specification in the contract.

We are pleased to welcome Peter Badham who has joined us a few months ago in a new role as Engineering Manager. Pete has years of experienced in management and engineering and is already settled in and having a positive impact on the business. In this new role, Pete is managing the engineering team and working very closely with production and project management for on time delivery of products and documentation.

PEOPLE IN IN PEOPLE

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NEW MEMBERS

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE WELCOMED THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS

BALAENA DEVELOPMENT & TESTING OF A NEW TYPE OF OSRV aircraft. Also in development

Balaena is committed to

is a larger vessel designed

validating its technology in

specifically for at-risk ports and

a broad range of conditions

harbors, but also deployable

including open waters, wetlands

in bays and offshore in low sea

(and similar), flowing waters,

states.

and ice. In addition to recovery of oil and other surface

Balaena has scheduled a series

contaminants, the company is

of field trials and exercises with

developing minor modifications

MSRC (Marine Spill Response

to the vessel to facilitate

Corporation) during the first

recovery of plastics (including

quarter of 2022. Working

nurdles), and toxic algae using

Following successful testing

together, MSRC and Balaena

the same patented approach.

at Ohmsett last year, Balaena,

aim to demonstrate the vessel in

LLC is bringing to market

operational conditions.

For more information regarding the above please contact:

revolutionary new technology for oil spill and surface

The National Spill Control

contaminant recovery. The

School, a Division of Research

Brad Rutledge, Sr. Vice

vessel has demonstrated high

and Innovation at Texas A&M

President Business

performance potential during

University-Corpus Christi,

Development brutledge@

both stationary and advancing

has approached Balaena for

balaenah2o.com

collection, achieving a 98%+

potential research activities

oil (<2% water) discharge ratio,

for both coastal and inland

and requiring no consumables

environments.

(e.g., pads, discs, belts, or brushes). Key interfaces are in place to facilitate remote control, currently in work with Fluid Power Design, LLC and Sea Machines.

With patents issued and pending in Australia, Canada, and the USA, and patents pending in Norway, the UK and Singapore, the company is now in the pre-engineering phase of a vessel sized for road transportation without a permit and to fit in a C-130 cargo 34

N

NEW MEMBERS IDEAL RESPONCE

At Ideal Response, our ethos is devoted to our phrase, “Our business is restoring yours.”

From the moment you call us, you are in the safest of hands.

Our team specialises in incident recovery and hygiene for a range of services offered nationwide.

From our humble beginnings, established in 2001 as a domestic cleaning company, Ideal Response have grown to become one of the UK’s largest contractors in the emergency response, disaster recovery, environmental management and property repair and cleaning.

Our services range from both emergency and nonemergency incidents including oil spills, fire damage, water/flood damage, hazardous chemical removal, mould removal, industrial cleaning, trauma cleaning, hoarder cleaning and much more!

For emergency works around the country, we aim to be onsite within two hours of your call and will work around the clock to return your business or property to full function in the quickest possible timeframe.

Trusted by professionals across many industries, we are proud of our reputation.

Our highly trained technicians use state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technology to deliver outstanding results, every time.

For more information go to: www.idealresponse.co.uk Contact: 0808 239 6983

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EVENT PLAN

We are a delighted to announce the OAMPS have agreed to extend their sponsorship of all events that the Association undertakes for a further year!

28 Apr 22

UKEireSpill Inland Conference

UKIFDA Expo, Liverpool

04 May 22

Interspill Inform Clean Seas webinar - Coastal Darkening

Online

05 May 22

Plastic Pollution Working Group Meeting

Online

25 May

Employment Opportunities Working Group Meeting

Online

31 May

Interspill Inform Clean Seas webinar - Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution

Online

8 June

Interspill Inform Clean Seas webinar - Emerging Pollutants

Online

21-23 Jun 22

Interspill 2022

RAI Exhibition and Conference Centre Amsterdam

14-15 Sep

Contamination and Geotech Expo

NEC Birmingham

28 Sept

UKEireSpill Marine Conference and Demonstrations

Southampton

details on www.ukeirespill.org - members only

SPILL RESPONSE INDUSTRY INSURANCE SPECIALISTS Our policies have been evolving since 1986 and can provide cover for: • Bespoke tanker/vacuum units with values up to £500,000 and beyond • Business Interruption losses if your vehicles are unusable after being damaged at your premises • Pollution both on and off the highway arising from your own vehicles • Defence Costs for Directors in respect of Pollution claims against them

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OAMPS is part of Pen Underwriting Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 314493). Registered Office: The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AW. Registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 5172311

Insurance Managers for UK and Ireland Spill Association Ltd & International Spill Accreditation Scheme Ltd

CONTACT US 01372 869 700 team@oamps.co.uk www.oamps.co.uk

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