eastern region oil spill disaster contingency plan - Indian Coast Guard

- 9 -
EASTERN REGION OIL SPILL DISASTER CONTINGENCY PLAN
(EROS – DCP)
Introduction
1.1. The Indian Ocean is closed by landmass on the north, but towards the
east and west, there are entries and exists through very narrow restricted water,
namely, the Gulf of Aden and Straits of Malacca. Almost all ship- borne
movements from east to west and vice versa must therefore transit across the
Indian Ocean. As many as 200 ships pass through these waters every day,
carrying over 90% of world trade, including oil. Further the economic status of
India has been considerably enhanced with major oil exploration, production and
refining facilities within the EEZ, making it highly desirable to cater for the
contingency of major oil spill within the EEZ.
1.2. The Eastern Coast supports a number of coral reefs, marine like.
Mangroves forests and variety of fish on the eastern sea board which need to be
protected against the detrimental effects of oil pollution. The coastal
environment is a complex, sensitive and dynamic Eco-system, which demands an
appropriate, compatibility and effective response in the event of an oil spill.
Scope
1.3. To combat an oil spill in the Bay of Bengal, it is desirable to co-ordinate
pollution response activities amongst various government and non-government
agencies. The contingency plan is intended to identify the capabilities and
resources in order to establish an organizational structure to combat marine
pollution, so that focal points and lead agencies are clearly identified for an
appropriate and affect the pollution control response.
1.4. The Eastern Regional Headquarters has been vested with the role and
responsibility to prepare for combating a major oil spill up to 10,000 tonnes in
her maritime area. Any requirement of combating a major oil spill above 10,000
tonnes would be undertaken by consolidating all the available resources and
equipment from other Regions.
1.5. The EROS-DCP also provides the frame work for co-coordinated integrated
response by various government agencies that are functionally responsible for
monitoring, control and combating marine pollution by spillage of oil around their
areas of operation. However, the Coast Guard shall remain as the Central Cocoordinating
Authority in combating oil pollution during major oil spills.