Pasha Bulker Report - Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Pasha Bulker - Incident Analysis Team Report
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Contingency Plans – National, State and Local
a) Issue: First Strike Capability and the Oil Spill Response Incident Control System
(OSRICS)
Background
The nature of the incident meant that the first strike capability within Newcastle Port
Corporation was not tested through a field based response, however, NPC did demonstrate
that its first strike capability was capable of successful integration into a larger NSW based
response.
The IAT noted that there was an OSRICS structure created but that some personnel failed
to abide by it and that NPC initially chose not to place outside personnel (i.e. NRT) into key
positions within the management team.
The IAT also noted that the allocation of administrative personnel with local knowledge could
have assisted the ability of field based teams to access local suppliers.
The IAT noted from their participation at the NPC debrief under the auspices of an external
consultant that logistics seemed to be outside or disconnected from the incident control team
and the OSRICS structure.
Conclusion
The IAT noted a number of identified limitations with the implemented OSRICS structure.
The IAT was concerned that NSW Maritime was slow to recognise the seriousness and
potential size of the incident and therefore the scope of the response that was required.
Though this could be reasonably attributed to inadequate communications to response
personnel.
Recommendation
The IAT recommends that spill response agencies should ensure that all contingency plans
include current information on the OSRICS structure and information on how OSRICS can
readily be adapted to suit any potential spill scenario.
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