Defence Environmental International Cooperation (DEIC) Workshop. Disaster Management of Oil Spills Simon’s Town, South Africa. Article: CPO K.C. Linderoth Photos: Capt H. Cernovs (Latvian Navy), Cdr D. Haynes (US Navy) and CPO K Linderoth Additional information: Mr A. Kolodziejski (US Africa Command)

The oceans and waterways of the world are constantly under threat of an oil spill. As long as there is ship movements on our global waters, these threats are a reality. There is a huge awareness about oil spill disasters internationally and countries have put various contingency plans in place in the event of a major disaster incurring in their territorial waters.

All the members who attended the Oil Spill Workshop

The United States Africa Command and the United States Navy Europe/Africa, supported by the United States and Latvian Coast Guard, conducted a Regional Oil Spill Preparedness and Response workshop at Maritime Warfare Training Centre from 30 March to 02 April 2009. The event was co-hosted by the DOD and Naval Base Simon’s Town. The local arrangements were made by WO2 Benito Walters of Naval Base Simon’s Town Environmental Services. The stakeholders of the workshop included the USA, South African, Namibian and Mozambican navies. Key South African roleplayers were represented by Marine and Coastal Management (MCM), City of Cape Town Disaster Management, Transnet National Ports Authority and the Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT). Nationally, the SANDF was represented by Cdr Adri Liebenberg and regionally by Lt Col Lappies Laubscher and Capt Rod Jeffery of RFIM Cape Town and Lt Col Roshni Varaden of RFIM Durban.

At sea with the tug Indlovu	Capt G.C. Knox explains procedures as well as types of oil spill equipment used by the SA Navy.

The workshop was coordinated by Mr Art Kolodziejski (United States Africa Command OPS/LOG Directorate), Mr John Owen (US Navy Region Europe and Africa) and Cdr David Haynes (Commanding Officer of the US Coast Guard) and assisted by Capt H. Cernovs (Chief of the Latvian Coast Guard).

On arrival the guests were welcomed by R Adm (JG) J.E. Louw, Officer Commanding Naval Base Simon’s Town.  During the workshop participants exchanged information by means of presentations and question and answer sessions.  The aim of the workshop was to address appropriate procedures when a significant oil spill occurs which may impact maritime safety and security and sensitive areas which includes human health, the environment and economics.

The group was also taken on a tour of the Simon’s Town naval harbour and given a demonstration on the SA Navy’s preparedness to combat an oil spill.  WO1 Guy Haywood showed the group the monitoring system used by the SA Navy as well as the emergency procedures that have been put in place in the event of an oil spill in the harbour.  Capt Glen Knox addressed the group on their capabilities whilst a practical demonstration was given on the various oil spill control and mop-up equipment at our disposal.

Cdr Dave Haynes addresses members during the workshop.	FOC welcomes the guests on arrival. On the left of FOC is Mr Art Kolodziejski and right is Mr John Owen.
Mr Owens addresses the assembly	Out at sea with oil spill equipment on deck

The USA Africa Command and SA Navy initiated Maritime Environmental Security cooperation, under the auspices of the USA–RSA Environmental Security Working Group (ESWG), gained a considerable amount of valuable planning information.  They became familiar with the local, regional and national oil spill response procedures and coordination requirements in case of a spill incident in the South Africa region.

Mr Kolodziejski said that the workshop proved to be very successful in more ways than one.  For the first time it brought together the key stakeholders who will ultimately work together to address all the contingency planning and spill response related activities.  It also brought together representatives from neighboring countries, giving them exposure to our program and instigating communication and future collaboration in the disaster response arena.  He emphasized that further, advanced, constructive, collaboration in the general area of Environmental Security of the international community is to include South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, the USA and Europe.  This entails advancement of the RSA-USA collaboration under the auspices of the Defence Committee (DRFCOM) and more specifically RSA-USA Environmental Security Working Group.

Practical display of oil spill equipment

Further comments were made by Mrs Yael Wearley, a Tug Pilot at Transnet National Ports Authority. She said “The workshop was truly informative, constructive and interactive”.  Lt Cdr Horacio from the Mozambique Navy also found the workshop very constructive, saying that the information was invaluable to their navy in combating oil spills.  “It was an eye opener to everyone, especially the good links formed by the different navies,” said Cdr Shikongo of the Namibian navy.

Mr Marshall, Senior Oceanographer of Marine and Coastal Management said that the workshop gave a clear indication on what direction should be taken to address roles that various stakeholders should play in oil spill response combating.  He said that note was taken of the need for capacity building which needs to take place in the form of an oil spill response forum.

The international workshop was a big success as all role players could tap into each others knowledge of how they combat oil spills.  Most importantly, it highlighted the fact that disasters like an oil spill cannot be fought in isolation.  The need arose for a forum to be brought about so that we can all speak a universal language regarding disaster management.