Some Thoughts On Salvage Operations During Oil Spills1

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recent casualties have caused response planners, spill managers, underwriters, and government authorities to closely examine the role of salvage operations in the successful resolution of actual or potential spill events. The integration of salvage operations with oil spill response operations remains somewhat ill defined in the post-OPA 90 NIIMS based ICS response system. The responses to the Buffalo 292 and Buffalo 286 oil spills demonstrated that a coordinated, well-conceived, and professionally executed salvage operation can be conducted within the ICS framework. A similar response management model was used during the successful emergency lightering of the grounded tankship Overseas Valdez. These operations spotlighted the efficacy of the maritime community's implementation of the Vessel Response Plan (VRP) requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the successful integration of salvage operations into the incident command system, and the benefits of prompt access to computerized damage stability and residual strength calculation programs.