Binding EU Offshore Safety Directive wildlife requirements discussed at Interspill conference

The 2015 Interspill conference in Amsterdam provided Sea Alarm with the opportunity to present an analysis of the European Union’s Offshore Safety Directive’s oiled wildlife requirements to members of the oil and gas industry and spill response agencies.

The paper, co-authored by ADS Insight, took an in-depth look at the first pan-European legislation addressing oiled wildlife response, which could bring about significant changes in the way European countries approach oiled wildlife preparedness. The Directive, which must be implemented by Member States through inclusion in their national legislation by July 2015, requires oiled wildlife response to be fully integrated into those Member States’ emergency response plans.

According to the Directive, Member States must have robust arrangements in place at a national level for oiled wildlife preparedness to minimize potential consequences of a major accident at an offshore installation. Details of those arrangements should address what relevant personnel and equipment is available and elaborate on methods for deployment of both. Competency, responsibilities and availability of personnel should be spelled out and means for ensuring ongoing preparedness addressed.

Interspill 2015, one of three major international oil spill conferences alongside IOSC in the US and SpillCon in the Asia-Pacific region, was attended by 1,300 people from more than 70 countries. Sharing space with OSRL, IPIECA and the Global Response Network in the conference exhibition hall allowed Sea Alarm staff to meet with a wide range of stakeholders interested in learning more about the organisation and its role in oiled wildlife preparedness and response