Port Blair, June 23: Pollution Response Team (A&N) of the Indian Coast Guard conducted oil pollution response convention level-I training from 19-22 Jun 17 at Port Blair. The course was designed to bring awareness on preparedness and response technique related to marine Oil Pollution as a first respondent. Port Blair, June 23: Pollution Response Team (A&N) of the Indian Coast Guard conducted oil pollution response convention level-I training from 19-22 Jun 17 at Port Blair. The course was designed to bring awareness on preparedness and response technique related to marine Oil Pollution as a first respondent.
Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands are highly eco sensitive and the waters around islands are vulnerable to marine pollution, particularly Nicobar Islands view six degree channel in proximity with a traffic density of over 200 hundred merchant ships transiting each day. Indian Coast Guard being the Central Coordinating Agency (CCA) for responding to marine oil spill in the Maritime Zones of India conducts training of all stake holders in oil spill response to enable them to fight any eventuality resulting from accidental spillage of oil. Accordingly, Coast Guard is conducting structured courses as designed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the personnel of Oil Handling Agencies, Resource Agencies, Stake Holders and Indian Coast Guard.
The course was attended by 11 Officers from Port Management Board, Directorate of Shipping Services and Indian Coast Guard. All participants were exposed to various theoretical aspects of oil spill properties, behavior, fate and response techniques for containment & recovery. During the course, participants were also given extensive practical training in handling of oil spill response equipment. An exposure was also provided for Health and Safety precautions to be exercised during the operations. As Wild life is prone to high causalities during any oil spill therefore method required for recovery and rehabilitation were also imparted. The participants also visited Coast Guard Air Enclave at Port Blair and were briefed about the aerial application of OSD.
On completion of the course, all the participants opined that the course was very valuable and beneficial towards understanding the Oil Spill Response methodology and equipment handling techniques. A communique received from PRO Coast Guard. “Vyam Rakshamah – We Protect”.
