The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) conducted exercise BARRACUDA-V in coordination with Pakistan Navy from 21st to 23rd October, said a statement issued by Navy Thursday.
The exercise aimed at rehearsing the anti-oil spill procedures and contingency mechanism. This marine oil spill exercise was conducted in two phases.
Phase-I was held at Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Headquarters which included opening brief, discussion, preparation checks for practical exercise. Whereas Phase-II was conducted at Arabian Sea and it included practical oil containment exercise.
After the catastrophic incident of massive spillage of oil at Karachi by MV Tasman Spirit in 2003, a need was felt for formulation of a comprehensive anti pollution plan. Subsequently, PMSA prepared a draft Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
A comprehensive National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan was proposed to cater for all marine disasters including pollution from oil, search and rescue and salvage operations at sea. The plan called ‘National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan’ was approved in 2007.
The execution of ‘National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan’ is ordered by Chairman Pakistan Maritime Disaster Management Board (PMDMB) which is headed by Chief of the Naval Staff.
