Response to Marine Oil Pollution - Review and Assessment is the
essential source book, now updated, for all involved in marine oil
pollution consequences and response. It covers policy, planning and
operations, and provides technical assessment of the true nature of the
problem, of the means to maximise the performance of current techniques
and equipment, and of the bases for future improvements.
This book provides a fundamental understanding of the oil properties and
processes which determine the persistence and impacts of oils in the
marine environment. It establishes parameters against which to evaluate
performance of all current techniques and equipment, and the
environmental impacts of their use. It identifies design parameters, and
makes proposals for the creation and development of more effective
equipment and techniques.
The book also shows how a fresh approach to cargo transfer, and the
scaling of spillage response provision to oil releases on immediate
impact, will be more effective overall, and will ensure that approved
waste handling and disposal facilities are not overwhelmed. The recent
Sea Empress incident is reviewed to illustrate the points made and
conclusions reached, and to emphasise the need for thorough salvage
planning for all future incidents.