PARTNERING FOR A DISPERSANT APPLICATION CAPABILITY IN HAWAII

Abstract

ABSTRACT Anything worthwhile takes time and effort. In 1989 the tanker Exxon Houston broke free of her offshore mooring and ran aground. Dispersants were brought to Hawaii as a potential response tool. This was a wake up call that our coastlines and economy were vulnerable to a large-scale event. Although not needed in this instance, this awakening produced the 1992 signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Oceania Regional Response Team (RRT) and the state of Hawaii, preauthorizing the Federal On Scene Coordinator (FOSC) to use dispersant to combat oil spills in Hawaiian waters. It was very restricted in its applicability, but it was a good beginning. A revised and greatly improved dispersant pre-approval MOA was signed in April 1999. Explanation of the elements that worked to obtain agreement and the special considerations unique to Hawaii is addressed. The evolution of the state's acquisition of a large-scale dispersant application system, and the ultimate development of a unique three-party MOA is discussed. Community interest focused on obtaining an Airborne Dispersant Delivery System (ADDS) and an adequate and immediately available stockpile of dispersant. It was envisioned to have the state of Hawaii come up with the necessary funding, the U.S. Coast Guard use their C-130 aircraft, and the local industry financed oil spill Cooperative, Clean Islands Council (CIC), maintain the system. This presentation discusses the challenges; issues and problem solving required accomplishing the acquisition of this large-scale system. It further discusses the Hawaii response community's continuing efforts to ensure this vital response tool is ready and able to perform in an emergency.