National Contingency Plan in case of massive pollution events

In the event of a nationally significant incident the National Contingency Plan describes the command and control to be implemented where there is a threat or actual pollution.

This plan is based on the Irish Coast Guardincident command system and involves setting up a response centre near to the incident.

This response centre consists of three units

• at sea pollution response
• shoreline response
• marine casualty or salvage response.

The response centre and each of the units are under the direction and co-ordination of the Coast Guard.

Based on reports received from aerial surveillance a plan for the combat operation is drafted and executed. The main strategy is to recover floating oil from the sea surface applying mechanical recovery systems.

Assisting vessels towing oil containment booms to collect the oil slicks, in open U or J configuration, followed by recovery vessels. Recovery operations can be guided by aerial reconnaissance. Use of dispersants may be considered once approvals have been received.

The Irish Coast Guard will direct and co-ordinate the on shore response. Local Authorities will remove the oil from the shoreline.

Depending on the type of oil the recovery will be executed by hand or a combination of Booming/ recovery systems and manpower.

Local Authority personnel and contracted private companies will carry out the actual cleanup operations. Shoreline response will be co-ordinated through the response centre and involve Local Authority, Fisheries, Dúchas and Environmental personnel.

International co-operation

Ireland is an associate member of the Bonn Agreement and also has bi-lateral agreements with the UK and France.

The Irish Coast Guard is also the National Contact point for EU-DG Environment, Monitoring and Information centre, which deals with marine pollution alerts and national support.