The importance of oil for the world’s consumption cannot be overstated. However, the vessels conveying said oil can have a tragic impact on the international environment in the event of an ocean spill. Marine tankers and their crew of operators play a critical role in defending the health of America’s waterways.
Preparing Against an Environmental Spill
Spill response management is a key tool for marine transportation companies who are looking to stay in their field for the long haul. One way to improve a firm’s vessel response planning is through education. The captain and crew of each vessel must be aware of the common causes of oil tanker spills and other aquatic tragedies. For example,
- collisions/allisions
- grounding
- hull failure
- equipment failure
- fire/explosion
Moreover, there are governing bodies who make it their mission to decrease oceanic contamination from petroleum transport. In 1916, the United States employed the Coast Guard to shield American aqueducts against contamination. The insurance firm WQIS proposes that any spill response must include immediate communication with the Coast Guard, their respective Qualified Individual, and state and local authorities. Indeed, having a dedicated team in place during such a situation can make the difference between a small incident and a global crisis.
As the proverb states, prior planning can help prevent poor performance. Consequently, the corporate managers of tanker fleets have an obligation to their consumers to put some thought behind a vessel response plan in advance of an accident.