KARACHI: Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has organized an exercise named BARRACUDA-VW under the guidance of Pakistan Navy from December 4-7 2017, which is aimed at rehearsing the anti-oil-spill procedures and contingency mechanism.
Marine pollution like major oil spills are highly dangerous for the marine environment and also pose a threat to ports, harbours and exclusive economic zone, requiring a collective response by all stakeholders.
After the catastrophic incident of MV TASMAN spirit in Karachi in 2003, a need was strongly felt to formulate a comprehensive anti-pollution plan. Subsequently, National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan (NMDCP) was prepared and promulgated by Government of Pakistan in 2007 with Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency in lead role.
The National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan (NDMCP) lays down comprehensive organisation and contingency plans to effectively deal with marine disasters at the national level.
The execution of NMDCP is ordered by Chairman Pakistan Marine Disaster Management Board (PMDMB) which is headed by Chief of the Naval Staff. A response committee is meant to coordinate the efforts to deal with the disaster from Disaster Response Centre (DRC) at HQ PMSA.
This marine oil spill exercise will be conducted in three phases.
Phase-I was held on Monday at HQ PMSA which included an opening brief, discussion and pre-operational checks for the practical exercise.
DG PMSA Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar attended the opening session as Chief Guest. Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Operations Rear Admiral Zahid Ilyas and Flag Officer Sea Training Rear Admiral Zaka ur Rehman also attended the opening session.
Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency during interaction with media highlighted the existing dangerous amount of sea pollution which will be harmful to the future generations.
He pointed out that immediate steps are required from all stakeholders to address the sea pollution issue. Subsequent to planning and training sessions, Phase-II will be conducted on 5 December 17 at sea near Karachi harbour encompassing practical oil containment exercise.
Phase-III will be conducted on 6 December 17 at the Clifton Beach Karachi for the first time to rehearse oil spill response on land.
The units of Pakistan Navy along with PMSA and various Government, Civil organizations including Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Gwadar Port Authority, National Institute of Oceanography, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, SEPA, Pakistan Metrological Department, Bahria Foundation, China Power Hub Generation Company Ltd, Shell Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan Oil Refinery Ltd, National Oil Refinery Ltd, Oil Companies Advisory Committee, City Govt Karachi, BYCO Petroleum Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Pakistan State Oil, Total Parco Marketing Ltd., KANUPP, PEPA, BEPA, Pakistan State Oil, PMD Karachi, NCMPR, FOTCO, etc., are participants in the exercise.
