Loss of Containment Tracking and Analysis: A Tool for Improving Vessel Spill Prevention

Abstract

Abstract With our nation's continuing efforts to reduce all sources of marine pollution, as evidenced by the passage of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Vessel General Permit, together with the expected future growth of global sea trade, the maritime industry needs to continue to look for unique, cost effective ways to improve our oil spill prevention efforts. It has become widely accepted that for every serious incident that occurs, there is a larger number of similar minor incidents, and an even larger number of similar near misses that occur that do not result in loss or damage. This concept, first presented by H.W. Heinrich in 1931, is captured in the well-known Safety Pyramid. The Safety Pyramid postulates that events at the base of the Pyramid, near misses and hazards, are good leading indicators of the likelihood of a more serious incident occurring. In translating this safety concept to improving spill prevention, we explore whether a spill out of its primary containment, called...