U.S. Navy Ship Salvage Manual Volume 6 - Oil Spill Response

S0300-A6-MAN-060• Develop and update areawide oil spill contingency planning instructions that specifyNOSC and NOSCDR responsibilities.• Coordinate, with the assistance of the Supervisor of Salvage, development, revisionand update of area-wide oil and hazardous substance (OHS) spill contingency planninginstructions and individual NOSC plans.NOSCs, in turn, designate Navy On-Scene Commanders (NOSCDRs). This designation is basedupon known or potential spill risk and the existence of prestaged response assets or the ability torapidly obtain such assets. NOSCDRs are at the bottom of the shoreside oil spill response organizationand typically own the front line forces—the On-Scene Operational Teams (OSOTs) andprestaged equipment utilized for response to minor Navy oil spills.Regional and state environmental coordinators are assigned by area coordinators to coordinateenvironmental matters and public affairs in local regions and individual states. The regional coordinatoris the senior naval officer in the local region and may be the designated NOSC. State coordinatorsare designated on the basis of which command can most effectively attend to Navyinterests in the state and will normally be located within easy access of the state capital. In mostcases, regional coordinators will also serve as state coordinator for the states in which they arelocated.1-5.1.1 Navy On-Scene Coordinator (NOSC). NOSCs are either shoreside or afloat-based commandsassigned to coordinate NOSCDRS in their areas. The coordination effort must ensure thereare enough personnel and resources to clean up an oil spill and must interface with federal, state,local, commercial and volunteer response and support organizations. Shoreside NOSCs are generallydesignated to parallel existing regional environmental coordination authorities as designatedunder the NCP. Typically, the NOSC is a Naval Base Commander, Naval Force Commander orNaval Training Center Commander. For hazardous substance (HS) spills from DOD facilities orships, DOD provides the predesignated FOSC; the NOSC is therefore the FOSC for HS spillsfrom Navy ships or facilities. The predesignated Coast Guard or EPA Regional FOSC mayassume control of the response if the Navy response is inappropriate or inadequate. For oil spillsfrom DOD facilities or ships, DOD assumes responsibility for minimizing damage and cleaningup spilled oil, while the Coast Guard or EPA assumes the broader roles of the FOSC. Typically,the Coast Guard or EPA FOSC will monitor DOD response efforts and advise the DOD (Navy)On-Scene Coordinator. If the DOD (Navy) response is inadequate or inappropriate, the FOSCwill assume direct control of the response.The NOSC activates an Area Response Center (ARC) after a spill occurs. This center is a clearinghouse for all spill information, requests and inquiries to and from outside parties. Personnel manthe center and monitor and direct response actions for the duration of the operation.Specifically, shoreside NOSCs are responsible for:• Directing all major Navy response efforts for Navy oil spills within assigned shoresideboundaries, including coastal areas extending out to 12 miles.1-10