|
Rep. of Korea: Hebei Spirit Oil Spill
OCHA Situation Report No. 4
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SHES-7A9NPC?OpenDocument&query=Hebei%20Spirit
This situation report is based on information received from the joint
United Nations-European Commission Assessment Team and from their
contacts with the national authorities of the Republic of Korea (ROK).
I. Situation
1. A collision between a barge and an oil tanker caused the release of
10,500 tonnes of light crude oil into the Yellow Sea, off the west coast
of the Republic of Korea (RoK), on 7 December 2007. More than 300 km of
coastline was affected. The coast hosts a number of fish farms and an
active wild fishery industry and is home to habitats for a variety of
migratory birds. The region is also a popular tourist destination for
the beaches.
II. National Response
2. The Government of ROK declared a state of disaster on the first day
of the incident and immediately launched an emergency operation. A
central operations room was established in Seoul to provide information
and serve as a clearinghouse for international and national liaison and
coordination. Despite difficult weather conditions and heavy seas,
authorities of the RoK, lead by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and
Fisheries (MOMAF) and the Korean Coast Guard (KCG), acted swiftly in
responding to the emergency.
III. International Response
3. The Government of the RoK accepted a joint offer of assistance of the
United Nations Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit and the European
Commission Monitoring and Information Centre. The UN/EC Assessment Team
was deployed to ROK from 15-22 December 2007. The Assessment Team
assessed needs for international assistance to aid with clean up
operations, advised the Government on measures employed by various
national response agencies and provided guidance on medium and long-term
environmental impacts related to the oil spill.
4. The UN/EC Assessment Team determined that no immediate international
assistance was required to aid clean up operations. The majority of
beaches were cleaned as a result of the strong coordination and
significant efforts of personnel from the KCG, MOMAF, Korean Maritime
Police, Navy, Army, and volunteers from the private sector and general
public. The effective deployment of oil booms immediately after the
spill protected many sensitive areas. Natural surf, in the form of tides
and wave action, cleansed some beaches and shorelines and will continue
to do so.
5. The RoK response to the oil spill was consistent with international
methods and standards. The use of dispersants, an accepted oil spill
response method, was inline with usage in other jurisdictions and
followed appropriate procedures, as defined in the National Contingency
Plan and RoK Law.
6. The prospect for the rehabilitation of the affected area is positive
given the efficient clean up and the immediate response of the
authorities. Typical of oil spills, re-pollution remains a possibility,
as oil trapped in crevasses, possibly unreachable during the clean up,
may be re-floated and land on beaches. Efforts should also be made to
collect tar in the form of balls, which is a residual effect of oil
spills and dispersants, expected in some areas.
7. It is important to monitor the medium and long-term environmental
impacts of the oil spill. The RoK is developing assessment methodology
for biological and environmental impacts and it is essential for these
efforts be collaborative and coordinated across the Government.
8. The Assessment Team recommendations also included: the development
and implementation of a communications plan to inform the general public
regarding the clean up process; An analysis of the development of a high
seas clean up capacity; A review of the strategy on the use of
dispersants; RoK join international efforts to phase out single-hull
tankers; The implementation of a long-term clean up strategy, including
a Spring shoreline assessment; Joint training between relevant agencies
involved in oil spill clean up; Document costs associated to the clean
up to provide information for future compensation.
9. The MOMAF requested international assistance to provide training,
advice and assistance on shoreline assessment techniques.
10. The UNEP Post Conflict and Disaster Management Branch and the
External Relations Directorate-General of the European Commission are
collaborating on possible follow up activities, including a “Post
Disaster Needs Assessment” in early 2008.
11. A mission report is under preparation and will be available on the
Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit website (http://ochaonline.un.org/ochaunep).
12. This situation report, together with further information regarding
on-going emergencies, is also available on the Reliefweb: http://www.reliefweb.int.
MAP: Rep. of Korea: Hebei Spirit Oil Spill - Location Map
For detailed information please contact:
Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (GVA)
Mr. Rene Nijenhuis
Tel. + 41-79-477-0872
Email: nijenhuis@un.org
MIC Contacts (BXL)
MIC Duty officer
Tel: +32-229-22-222
Email: env-mic@ec.europa.eu
UN Desk Officers:
(NY) Ms. Kendra Clegg
Tel. +1 646 416 1140
Email: clegg@un.org
(GVA) Mr. Jean Verheyden
Tel: + 41 79 509 8116
Email: verheyden@un.org
Press contact:
(NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Tel. + 1 917 367 5126
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Tel. + 41 22 917 2653
Fuentes/Fonts
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-79ZNE8?OpenDocument
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SHES-7A9NPC?OpenDocument&query=Hebei%20Spirit
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/Archivo/nota.asp?nota_id=968977
http://ar.news.yahoo.com/s/06122007/59/n-world-968977-derrame-petr-leo-corea-sur.html
http://www2.lavoz.com.ar/07/12/09/secciones/sociedad/nota.asp?nota_id=142357
http://www.radio.uchile.cl/notas.aspx?idNota=42549
http://www.lanacion.com.py/noticias.php?not=174489
About pollution...OPC is
the solutions |
