7. Spill Assessment Checklist

  1. To be completed by the Applicant Environmental Manager or Vessel Master.

 

Spill Assessment Checklist

This checklist is designed to assist those personnel who have the responsibility of assessing a spill incident. These personnel are likely to be:

Applicant Environmental Manager

Vessel Master.

Step

Guidance

Determine Essential Details

Location of pollution incident;

Source of spill;

Oil/chemical type;

Extent of spill;

Time of incident;

Potential hazardous circumstances;

Any other relevant information (particularly: is spill contained or ongoing?).

Assess Safety Hazards

Until otherwise established, assume an oil spill is giving off potentially dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (i.e. hydrocarbon vapours).

ELIMINATE IGNITION SOURCES

Approach spill from upwind to reduce effects of vapours.

APPROACH ONLY IF SAFE TO DO SO!

Determine Spill Source

If source unknown, investigate with care.

Instigate actions to stop spillage at source.

IF SAFE TO DO SO!

Estimate Quantity

Estimate quantity of release if exact amount unknown.

Determine movement

Determine direction and speed of spill movement based upon the prevailing wind and sea conditions.

Assess prevailing and if possible future weather conditions

Determine:

Wind speed and direction;

State of tide;

Current speed and direction; and

Sea state.