Authorities point of view

Alexandroupolis' demonstration exercise

-> Christos PAPAPOSTOLOU, REMTH

Authorities point of view

30th-31st May 2013 in Alexandroupolis (Greece) Presentation & demonstration of the TOSCA tools to Local

Authorities Planification of a response action to an oil spill heading to the

coast of Alexandroupolis

The exercise referred only to a part of the TOSCA system, since there is not a HF radar available in the area

Final Goal: Development of a Coastal Management Strategy on Oil-Spill Protection and SAR Operations

Demonstration Exercise

Scenario of an oil spill pollution in a distance of 3-5 miles from the coast of Makri at 8.00 am

Deployment of 2 drifters to record sea currents

Deployment of 2 drifters for monitoring oil spills

Conditions of simulation

Drifters used for the demo exercise

Preparation of the drifters

Launching of drifters at 2 different positions, 3-4 miles from the shore

Transition to the reported location of the oil spill

Introduction to TOSCA project and tools to the local community

Presentation of HF radars with remote connection

Presentation of drifters and forecasting models

Overview of dispersion forecasting of oil spills

Display of real time observation of drifters via GIS

Observation of currents in real time

CURRENT

Activating local community: communication with the media

What happened during the field exercise?

A forecast for the oil spill, by the University of Athens, predicted a move first to the coast and then to the east

Oil was washed up to the coast from Makri to Alexandroupolis

After 2 days, a subsurface oil spill remains at the mouth of Evros (river) delta although the wind is turning

=> The drifters’ monitoring confirmed the forecast

Achievements of TOSCA demo exercise

Presentation of TOSCA practical results that may be used by coast guard or national/regional authorities

Simulation of TOSCA tools (GIS)Deployment of driftersPresentation of local achievements

By * Ministry of shipping, maritime affairs & the Aegean * Hellenic coast guard

National and local contingency plans responding to oil And other harmful substances’ pollution incidents

National Contingency Plan (NCP)

Local Contingency Plan (LCP)

Port Contingency Plan (PCP)

Facilities Contingency Plan (FCP)

Regional Contingency Plan (RCP)

Levels of Contingency Plans

Level 1 - PCP/FCP/LCP – up to 7t Level 2 – LCP/RCP/NCP - <7t<700t Level 3 – NCP – over 700t

Methods for the mitigation or control of pollution (Cutting off the leaking, monitoring the motion of the oil spill, retrieval of the oil from the surface of the sea, dispersal of the oil to the open seas, protection of ‘sensitive’ areas, retrieval of oil spill from coasts and cleaning, bioremedation). Floating barriers for the mitigation of the oil spill Chemical Dispersal Substances (3rd generation)Environmental rehabilitationCleaning of coasts

Existing Response to Oil Spill Accidents

In case of a maritime accident: REMTH's involvementAll regional and local administration provide the available equipment and personnel for the combat of the pollution according to the Local or Regional Contingency Plans.

This is the case when the oil spill remains in the geographic borders of REMTH.

In case where oil spill is expanded beyond the borders of REMTH, and the need for back up and cooperation is evident, then the General Secretariat of Civil Protection takes over the coordination of the response mechanism.

...REMTH prepares a proposal"Towards a unique Coastal Management

Strategy"In order to design a spatial management approach for

improving protection of coastal and maritime areas from oil spills

Thanks to TOSCA participation...

Development of response plans in case of accidents to: Identify and mitigate pollution spreading and for long term managementEnhance collaboration with local authorities and public administrations (Regions, Environmental Agencies, Civil Protection, Coastal Guard)Public sensibilisation with seminars and reports

Towards a unique Coastal Management Strategy

Improving prevention practicesStrategy focus: prioritizing coastal areas upon “value” and exposure to risk and allocating SAR means respectively – preparing GIS maps

Two different models selected:A simplifiedA detailed

Selection of model depends on available infra-structure for data collection and processingSimplified model is being presented

Means to be deployed

• Zoning of sensitive areas

• Formulation of a management strategy

• Establishing local cooperation pacts

Increasing local preparednessIntegrating TOSCA results to local – national response practiceExamining local – national legislation on contingency and response plansFormulating specific suggestions for modifying legislation so as to encompass TOSCA products and processes into the plans – securing coverage of requirements (e.g. trained staff, drifters’ availability etc.)

TOSCA project: benefits for REMTH A codification of the methodology of

early reaction Networking with local, regional and

national stakeholders for the better coordination (who is who)

Opportunity for the designing of Local, Regional as well as Facilities and Port Contingency Plans

Creating a draft that may be used by other stakeholders in REMTH (Port Authorities, Municipalities etc.)

Thanks for attendingTOSCA Final Meeting!