New Zealand oil spill response strategy - Maritime New Zealand

THE NEW ZEALAND MARINE OIL SPILL RESPONSE
STRATEGY
Introduction
The New Zealand Marine Oil Spill Response Strategy outlines the means by which the nation will
respond to a marine oil spill of any size. However few, if any, nations are able to mount credible
responses to major spills alone. Based on the results of comprehensive risk assessments, New
Zealand maintains an appropriate domestic capability to respond to a ‘one-in-one-hundred’ year
event. For larger spills it has established arrangements for international assistance with other nations
through the provisions of the 1990 International Convention on Oil Preparedness, Response and Cooperation
(OPRC). New Zealand’s own commitment to assist its international partners in times of need
is also fundamental to the ongoing success of this reciprocal agreement.
Partnerships also form the foundation of New Zealand’s domestic capability. Neither effective
contingency planning nor successful responses would be possible without the co-operation of
regional authorities or industry, plus a wide range of organisations and individuals with specialist skills.
Aim
The Strategy describes the framework within which an efficient and effective response is provided to
any marine oil spill in New Zealand waters.
Key Principles
The three most important and fundamental principles underlying the Strategy are that:
• The response capability will be maintained and developed through successful relationships and
partnerships between Maritime New Zealand, regional councils and unitary authorities,
government partners, industry and domestic and overseas agencies.
• Protection of human safety, health and welfare is of paramount importance in preparing for and
responding to marine oil spills. This includes the health and safety of the public, industry
personnel and the spill responders;
• Net Environmental Benefit Assessment (NEBA) will underpin the decision making process
concerning response options and clean-up standards.
The other basic principles are that:
• The polluter pays principle is fundamental, so the full, reasonable cost of any spill response,
clean-up and reasonable restoration efforts should be sought from the spiller;
• On-scene commanders should ensure that initial mobilisation is sufficient to implement an
effective and credible response;
• The best available specialist advice should be sought before decisions are made;
• Industry has a responsibility to undertake its business without creating unnecessary risks, and is
responsible for the risks it does create;
• Those industries and other maritime activities which create the risk of a marine oil spill should
contribute to the costs of maintaining and implementing the Strategy via an oil pollution levy;
• Oil spill planning and response systems must be comprehensive, integrated and effective;
• All people and agencies associated with planning and response should be aware of and
committed to their agreed responsibilities;
• Risk assessment is an integral part of response planning, preparation and levy allocation;
• The National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan must provide the means for the National On-
Scene Commander to be able to mount a credible response to any marine spill regardless of
size;
• Resources, training and equipment will be allocated on the basis of risk analysis to reflect
national and regional needs, to ensure prompt reaction with appropriate resources in the event
of a spill;
• A progressive, tiered approach is required for all preparation and planning for, and response to,
marine oil spills;
• There will be national consistency across the range of oil spill planning and response activities;
• Salvage of a vessel and/or its cargo is recognised as an important primary means of avoiding
or mitigating the effects of a marine oil spill;
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