CLEAN CARIBBEAN COOPERATIVE

Abstract

ABSTRACT A number of oil companies operating in the Caribbean have formed the Clean Caribbean Cooperative (CCC) with the objective of enhancing the capability to promptly and efficiently respond to oil spills which cause, or threaten to cause, pollution damage to beaches, harbors, offshore islands, and waters of the Caribbean. CCC resources are available to respond to spills within the area bounded by the coasts of Central America, South America, and Panama. These resources are designed to be used in remote areas where little or no response capability is in place, as well as to supplement the present capability in certain other areas. CCC member companies agreed to share the costs of providing a source of materials, equipment, and services to be used in responding to an oil spill incident. Use of the equipment, as well as management of the total response effort, is the responsibility of the company or agency which is taking action to control the spill. The CCC as an organized unit does not engage in joint or collective action in transporting or operating the facilities, arranging for personnel, providing management, or in any way becoming part of the on-scene control activity at the spill site. Because of the large area of the Caribbean, surface transportation cannot be relied on totally to bring resources to a spill at a great distance from locations where the oil industry and other agencies have oil spill cleanup capability in place. Therefore, the CCC leased a select stockpile of equipment which is kept in readiness for prompt dispatch by air. Because of the great variation in conditions surrounding an oil spill, control measures cannot be expected to be 100% effective in preventing any damage. However, by rapidly initiating action under a preplanned response system, the ability to avoid or substantially mitigate the effects of an oil spill is greatly enhanced.