Please click for more information on the following news articles:
- Bjorn Moller to be new Chairman of ITOPF (5 December 2006)
- An International Seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention & Spill Preparedness, 6th December 2006, Dubai (30 November 2006)
- New Ocean Orbit (31 October 2006)
- Dinner in Honour of Mr Mans Jacobsson, Director, IOPC Funds(16 October 2006)
- SOLAR 1, Sinking, Guimaras Straits, Philippines, 11 August 2006 (26 September 2006)
- Oil Pollution at Jieh Power Station, Lebanon Briefing Note (12 September 2006)
- Staff News (7 September 2006)
- Oil Pollution at Jieh Power Station, Lebanon (15 August 2006)
- 2006 Annual Review (8 August 2006)
- Tour pour la mer (26 May 2006)
- Staff changes (15 May 2006)
- New ITOPF Handbook (29 March 2006)
- Poseidon Challenge (3 March 2006)
- Meeting with UK Shipping Minister (3 March 2006)
- New staff (28 February 2006)
- Tanker Spill statistics 2005 (10 February 2006)
Bjorn Moller to be new Chairman of ITOPF
The ITOPF Board of Directors, meeting in Dubai on Tuesday 5th December 2006, unanimously approved the appointment of Mr Bjorn Moller of Teekay Shipping Corporation as the next Chairman of ITOPF, with immediate effect. Mr Moller succeeds Dr Helmut Sohmen, who has been the Federation's Chairman since October 2001 and a Director since 1986. Dr Sohmen is Chairman of Bergesen Worldwide Limited and during his 20 years on the ITOPF Board, he has made an outstanding contribution in championing the objectives and the achievements of the organisation.
In his statement to the ITOPF Board of Directors, Mr Moller declared: "I am honoured to be entrusted with the important task of leading the Federation and I acknowledge the fine example that Dr Helmut Sohmen has set in promoting the work of ITOPF in the context of the need for shipping to shape its own destiny. ITOPF's position as the prime source of objective technical advice on the effective response to ship-source pollution is well-established. During Dr Sohmen's tenure the Federation has invested in preparing and improving its capability to respond to spills involving Hazardous and Noxious Substances. This important area will grow in prominence as the ratification process for the HNS Convention gains momentum."
Mr Bjorn Moller joins the ITOPF Board to assume the position of Chairman at the age of 49. He has been President and Chief Executive of Teekay Shipping Corporation since 1998, directing the development of Teekay into a global company with 5,000 employees, providing marine services to the oil and gas industry. He joined Teekay Shipping in 1985 after ten years at East Asiatic Company (EAC).
Mr Moller holds a B. Comm. degree from Copenhagen School of Economics (1984). In addition to his membership on the Boards of Teekay, he is currently on the Main Board of the American Petroleum Institute and served on the Board of The Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited, 1998 - 2005. Mr Moller is married, with two children, and lives in Vancouver, Canada.
5 December 2006
An International Seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention & Spill Preparedness, 6th December 2006, Dubai
ITOPF and INTERTANKO are jointly organising a Seminar in association with Vela International Marine Limited, Dubai Drydocks, and Gulf Energy Maritime, to be held in Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai on Wednesday, 6th December 2006. The Seminar will address tanker safety issues, highlighting opportunities for preventing pollution from ships, and recommending procedures for dealing with pollution incidents in an effective manner. The aim is to engage the interest of both government and industry representatives. Attendance will be open to representatives of central and local government, oil companies, shipping companies, P&I Club correspondents, law firms, salvage companies, oil spill clean-up companies, environmental groups and academic institutions. Presentations will be in English and attendance at the Seminar, including a Buffet Lunch, will be free of charge. Attendees will, however, be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel and hotel costs. There will clearly be a maximum number that can be accommodated, and so to guarantee your place we request that you complete the Seminar Booking Form below and return it to:
Ms Terry Goodchild ITOPF Ltd
Tel: +44 20 7566 6999
Fax: +44 20 7566 6950
email: terrygoodchild@itopf.com
View seminar booking form (130Kb), final programme (42Kb) and abstracts (69Kb).
30 November 2006
New Ocean Orbit
ITOPF has just published another issue of its newsletter, OCEAN ORBIT, which highlights two recent tanker spills - the MAERSK HOLYHEAD (Venezuela) and the GRIGOROUSSA I (Egypt), and looks at the local and international measures taken in response to oil pollution in Lebanon following hostilities in that region. It also features articles on the effects of oil spills on the marine environment and spill response in ports. Copies of the newsletter are available free from ITOPF (contact Terry Goodchild) or can be downloaded in PDF format from the Publications page of our website.
31 October 2006
Dinner in Honour of Mr Mans Jacobsson, Director, IOPC Funds
On 5th October 2006 Dr Helmut Sohmen, Chairman of ITOPF, hosted a dinner in London in honour of Mr Måns Jacobsson, Director of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, who will be retiring at the end of this year.
16 October 2006
Mr Måns Jacobsson with his wife Margareta receiving a gift presented by Dr Helmut Sohmen, Chairman of ITOPF |
Mr Hugh Parker, ITOPF Technical Team Manager (centre) with Dr Ian White, former Manager Director of ITOPF and his wife Mary |
Mr Helge Schmidt, former ITOPF Chairman, and his wife Ellen |
From left, Mr Efthimiou Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of IMO; Mr Tony Mason, Secretary-General of International Chamber of Shipping & International Shipping Federation; Mr Spyros Polemis, Chairman of ICS & President of ISF |
Dr Helmut Sohmen, ITOPF Chairman 
Mr Michio Tamiya, Executive Vice-President of NYK Line |
Mr Nikolaus Schües, Managing Director of Reederei F Laeisz GmbH and his wife Ute 
Dr Tosh Moller, ITOPF Managing Director |
SOLAR 1, Sinking, Guimaras Straits, Philippines, 11 August 2006
Since 16 August, members of ITOPF's technical team have been onsite in the Philippines advising on pollution related issues arising from the sinking of the tanker SOLAR I.
In the afternoon of 11 August 2006, SOLAR 1 (Philippine flag, 998 GT, 2,129 DWT, built 1988) encountered problems in rough sea conditions and sank approximately 30 nautical miles south southwest of Iloilo City in the Guimaras Straits in the Western Visayas, Philippines. 18 of the 20 crew members survived the incident, but two remain missing. The vessel had been chartered by Petron Corporation to transport approximately 13,500 bbl (~2000 tonnes) of intermediate fuel oil from Lamao in Limay Bataan to Zamboaga City in Mindanao. MT SOLAR 1 sank to a depth of 630 m, 9 nautical miles off Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island. ITOPF was requested to attend the incident on 14 August jointly by the vessel's insurer and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1992 (IOPC Fund).
The Guimaras Straits contain a group of islands, the shorelines of which include sandy beaches, rocky shores, coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves. The south-western coast of Guimaras Island, the largest island in the Strait, is also home to a national marine reserve and an aquaculture research centre. The area is important for fisheries and aquaculture and there are also a number of tourist sites in the area.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led the response and were assisted by the Petron Corporation. After an international request for assistance by the Philippine government, the United States government sent a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Scientific Support Coordinator and representatives from the United States Coast Guard's Pacific Strike Team. The Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) also sent a representative to provide advice to the PCG. The shipowner entered into an agreement with three salvage companies to provide tugs, manpower and response equipment, including a light aircraft to apply dispersants from the air. After the initial release of oil from the vessel, small quantities of oil continued to leak from the wreck. At-sea response focused on the application of chemical dispersants to the freshly released oil using aerial dispersant spraying methods and spray arms mounted on tugs and PCG patrol vessels.
Shoreline clean-up began on 15 August overseen by the PCG and carried out by residents of the affected villages supported by Petron staff and a contractor hired by the shipowner. Manual cleaning of the shoreline was undertaken and primarily focused on sandy beaches in south west Guimaras. Some sites were protected by commercial booms, and many other sites using artisan booms made from banana leaves and similar materials. Arrangements for removal of the collected oily waste and for its final disposal are yet to be decided by the Philippine authorities.
Although there was no official fishing ban, fishermen were reluctant to go out fishing due to fears that catch would be contaminated and that market confidence would be adversely affected. The vessel's insurers and IOPC Fund sent two fisheries experts onsite to make a preliminary assessment of damage to fishing and aquaculture activities for appropriate compensation of losses. Advisers have also been appointed to review claims for losses to the tourism sector.
An ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) survey was carried out to locate the wreck and determine its condition. Information from the ROV survey is being used to develop an assessment of the risk posed by the remaining cargo and guide decisions on what actions should follow.
View images from the SOLAR I incident (265Kb).
26 September 2006
Oil Pollution at Jieh Power Station, Lebanon Briefing Note, 11 September 2006
As a result of hostilities in Lebanon, the power station at Jieh south of Beirut sustained damage during Israeli air strikes on 13 and 15 July 2006 and an estimated 15,000 tonnes of Medium Fuel Oil (IFO 150) were spilled from a tank farm adjacent to the coast.
With the support of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre (REMPEC), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) a Group of Experts was formed, led by CEDRE (Centre de Documentation, de Recherche et d'Experimentations sur les Pollutions Accidentelles des Eaux) and including ITOPF. This group collated an International Assistance Action Plan (available on www.rempec.org).
A Co-ordination Meeting on the Response to the Marine Pollution Incident in the Eastern Mediterranean convened by the Secretary-General of IMO and the Executive Director of UNEP took place in Piraeus (Athens), Greece on Thursday, 17 August 2006. The outcomes/achievements included:
- Approval of The International Assistance Action Plan, prepared by the REMPEC Group of Experts for Lebanon in collaboration with IMO, UNEP, the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, UNEP-MAP, UNDP and the EC Monitoring & Information Centre (MIC)
- Identification of a resource mobilization strategy to respond to the spill;
- Confirmation of the response coordination arrangements.
- Request for external financing of the clean-up effort in the amount of some Euro 50 millions, to go in part from the UN Flash Appeal and in part to the National Emergency Recovery Plan for Lebanon.
Following the cease-fire in Lebanon, assistance has been provided by experts sent by the REMPEC and the European Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (EC-MIC) to assess the situation and coordinate the assistance and the operations with the Ministry of Environment of Lebanon. Containment and recovery equipment has also been sent by several countries to assist. REMPEC staff in Malta have been supplemented by the secondment of Stéphane Grenon from Environment Canada.
Two aerial surveys undertaken by REMPEC experts and the European Commission's Marine Pollution Assessment and Coordination team (MPAC Team) on site have shown no significant oil at sea within 3 miles off the shoreline. Shoreline survey have also been undertaken to assess the level of equipment needed. To date, thirty sites have been identified as impacted by the oil spill. The main findings were the following:
- South of Jieh, no pollution was detected;
- At Jieh, the shoreline is more heavily oiled, inducing a constant sheen at sea;
- Between Jieh and Beirut, pollution can be seen along most of the shoreline;
- Marinas and harbours are affected by floating oil in the west part of Beirut;
- Between Beirut and Tripoli, there are alternately clean headlands, protected areas, cleaned up beaches and areas as yet untreated;
- Some oil traces (sheen) at sea have been seen between Beirut and Tripoli, fed from heavily oiled parts of the shorelines;
- The natural reserve of Palm Island has been affected in parts; mainly the rocky areas exposed on the south.
Film footage of the seabed close to the Jieh power plant released by Greenpeace and the Lebanese Union of Professional Divers showed significant contamination of the seabed by oil.
The Lebanese Ministry of Environment established an Oil Spill Operations and Coordination Centre (OSOCC) to coordinate the response to this oil spill. OSOCC organises daily meetings with the UNEP-OCHA, REMPEC, EC MPAC and other international experts on site.
Shoreline cleanup started with the recovery of the mobile oil from naturally confined small harbours. To date, the harbour and marina in Byblos have been cleaned from the bulk of the oil with the assistance of the EC-MPAC team. A clean-up operation has also started in Movenpick marina and Fisherman's Wharf in Beirut, but is sometimes hindered by the presence of large quantities of debris some of it dumped by the local population. Beach cleanup has also started after training by experts of volunteers from various NGOs. Diverse uncontrolled cleanup operations have been locally undertaken by municipalities and private beach owners. A call for tenders concerning shoreline cleanup operations is in preparation. The sunken oil cleanup by a local contractor had started, but was later stopped to allow evaluation by Italian experts.
The waste disposal issue is not yet resolved, partly due to the absence of adequate treatment facilities in Lebanon. The collection of large quantities of lightly polluted sand is a concern. Sand washers have been proposed to OSOCC by US Aid.
The input from ITOPF in recent week has taken the form continued advice on the development of the Action Plan formulated by the Group of Experts; documentation and guidance regarding the recovery of sunken oil, guidelines and methods on how to set up organoleptic (taint) tests on fish in order to provide criteria to address health and market confidence issues; and options & recommendations regarding the use of sand washers.
View satellite and aerial images and photographs of the pollution and cleanup (267kb).
12 September 2006
Staff News
Lisa Woolgar has been appointed as Technical Support Co-ordinator, responsible for maintaining and developing ITOPF's Geographic Information System and other project work. Lisa has a physics degree and was previously employed as a research scientist at a defence technology company working on their satellite programme and information mapping service.
On the administration side, Genine da Cruz Harvey has joined ITOPF as Membership Secretary. Genine has 9 years experience in business/membership administration roles within the voluntary and private sectors, and is now responsible for all matters relating to Membership, including the issuance of Membership Record Forms.
As from 1st September Tim Wadsworth assumed the new position of Technical Support Manager, responsible for all our technical support functions.
7 September 2006
Oil Pollution at Jieh Power Station, Lebanon
As a result of hostilities in Lebanon, the power station at Jieh south of Beirut sustained damage during Israeli air strikes in July 2006 and an estimated 15,000 tonnes of Medium Fuel Oil (IFO 150) were spilled from a tank farm adjacent to the coast. The escaping oil flowed into the sea and several satellite images have been released showing patterns consistent with a large release of oil, drifting north under the influence of prevailing currents. A characteristic pattern of land/sea breezes have caused the oil to strand along much of the Lebanese coast and oil has also reached the south Syrian coast, albeit in comparatively small amounts so far.
Because of continuing hostilities little or no active steps were taken to respond to the oil pollution and the opportunities for quantifying and tracking the drifting oil have also been limited. The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Lebanon only exists in draft form and the infrastructure and resources are inadequate for an effective domestic response to a major oil spill. However, the lead authority for pollution response in Lebanon, the Ministry of Environment, is initiating a first response with the support of the assistance described below, subject to security restrictions.
The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre (REMPEC) in Malta received requests for assistance from the Lebanese authorities. Until recently, conditions in Lebanon have prevented the attendance of international experts on site, but representatives of the European Commission and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have been sent to Beirut, as well as technical experts from Denmark. REMPEC have dispatched two experts to Syria in response to requests from that country.
With the support of REMPEC's principals, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) it was agreed that a Group of Experts be formed, led by CEDRE (Centre de Documentation de Recherche et d'Experimentations sur le Pollutions Accidentelles des Eaux) and supervised by REMPEC, for the purpose of providing coordinated international advice and assistance to the Lebanese authorities. ITOPF agreed to join the Group following an invitation from REMPEC on 3rd August.
The stated aims of the established Group are to provide technical advice and help prepare a plan of action for dealing with the oil spill, and specifically to assess oil distribution; establish priorities for response; identify appropriate clean-up techniques and long-term strategy; estimate the cost of the clean-up operations; assist with the preparation of a technical and financial report to be presented at the next "UN Flash Appeal" to raise sufficient funds for the clean-up operation.
Whilst Lebanon is a party to the Civil Liability Convention (CLC 92) since March 2006, this convention is not applicable to the pollution event in Lebanon since the spill was not from a tanker and falls outside the international liability and compensation mechanisms. The issue of funding will be addressed at a meeting in Athens on 17 August, to be attended by the Secretary-General of IMO and the Executive Director of UNEP, the EC Environment Commissioner and representatives of the affected or potentially affected states (Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece).
ITOPF's input to the Group of Experts has been practical and tangible in the form of specific advice on clean-up strategies and appropriate response measures, using teaching aids developed in the PRESTIGE incident.
Photographs from the Spill
(copyright of the Ministry of Environment, Lebanon www.moe.gov.lb)
North of Beirut |
Movenpick Resort,Beirut |
Damour-South of Beirut |
Ramlet El Baida-Beirut |
15 August 2006
2006 Annual Review
ITOPF has just published its latest Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 20 February 2006. If you would like to receive a copy please contact Terry Goodchild or download a PDF version from our Publications page.
8 August 2006
Tour pour la mer
Earlier this month, ITOPF participated in "Tour Pour La Mer", the shipping industry's charity bike ride. Here, Richard Johnson shares some reminiscences from the two-day trip:-
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The "ITOPF Slicksters", Alex, Andrew, Colleen and Richard, all with varying degrees of cycling experience assembled at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. We donned the impressive sky blue and white tour jerseys and set off to infinity and beyond., well, Dover actually. Oh, if only we had done more training runs, or chosen to use those skinnier tyres, or not eaten that extra breakfast roll, I'm sure we could have been up Shooters Hill in no time at all with the wind blowing through our helmet vents.
A last minute photo call and then the 250 strong peloton is off, gently moving through the rush hour commuter traffic and out into the Kent countryside. Before we know it we are at Mt Ephraim and lunch. Now nicely refuelled we are back on the bikes to coast through the Downs. Undulating scenery with the Garden of England seen at its glorious best provides the backdrop until we finish with a lovely long descent to the seafront at Dover. A steady 16mph seems an acceptable effort for the day. One by one the team are home. Cracked it, the first 83 miles done.
With the bikes safely stowed, we enjoy the leisurely ferry crossing over to Calais. A hearty breakfast and a nice new crisp cycling jersey set us up for day two, partly along Le Touquet's designated cycle paths. As the town gives way to the countryside the light blue and white snake of cyclists become strung out in the ethereal mist hanging on the fields. A cooler, mizzly day, but none the worse for it.
"Test your brakes" says the sign as we hurtle down a steep descent. A huddle of cyclists at the bottom lead to us apply high pitched, whistling brakes to temper the pace, and as we draw closer we see a fallen fellow cyclist nursing a nasty looking injury. His team mates are taking good care of him and summoning further help. Hopefully a full recovery is now well underway.
And talking of hills, let us not forget the hill, the one that many people would talk about for the rest of the day. Steep enough to make you want to attack it, long enough to wish you hadn't! After the hill it is a nice undulating ride to lunch and beyond, taking in places such as Montreuil Sur Mer, where it is amusing to see café after café with TPLM bikes outside them with their owners casually sipping cappuccinos. Despite such delaying tactics, the wonderful meandering cycle path that many of us could not resist to speed along, conspires to get us to Le Touquet earlier than the planned ceremonial procession. Whoops!
During the evening the deputy mayor greets us all with a glass of fizz in the Hotel de Ville before we move on to the grand Gala night, complete with speeches and awards. All in all, a terrific event that was really well organised. Thanks to those with the initial imagination and to all who made it happen. As a result of physical and fundraising exertions, the Mission to Seafarers and Sea Alarm should soon be joint beneficiaries of around £250,000. A satisfying result.
26 May 2006
Staff changes
Dr Brian Dicks is retiring from ITOPF in August after almost 19 years' service. A marine biologist by training, Brian previously worked as Director of the Oil Pollution Research Unit (OPRU) in Wales where he was involved in numerous research studies around the world on the environmental effects of oil pollution. He joined ITOPF as a technical adviser in 1987 and has since attended 62 spills in over 30 countries, including such milestone cases as the EXXON VALDEZ, BRAER and ERIKA. In 1998 Brian was appointed Technical Team Manager to take a share of the responsibility for the day-to-day management of ITOPF's technical programmes and resources. He has decided to take early retirement to devote his full time and energies to his many interests outside work. Brian's cheerful disposition and deep understanding of ecological processes will be greatly missed by his colleagues.
Richard Johnson, currently a Senior Technical Adviser, will fill the team manager vacancy left by Brian. Richard has been with ITOPF for almost 12 years and brings extensive all-round experience to his new role. A marine biologist with a Masters degree in Radiation and Environmental Protection, his previous employment included investigation of fallout from the Chernobyl accident and assessing radioactive contamination of the marine environment.
Colleen O'Hagan, a Technical Support Coordinator, is also moving posts. She will be appointed Technical Adviser once a suitable replacement with GIS skills has been found for her present role. Colleen takes over the position previously held by Dr Natalia Martini, who left ITOPF at the end of her maternity leave in April 2006. Natalia has since taken up a post with the International Maritime Organization.
We have also recruited Dr Franck Laruelle as Technical Adviser. Franck is a marine biologist who has worked with the French research organization CEDRE since 2000. He has acted as a technical adviser on behalf of the French government on a number of spills, including ERIKA and PRESTIGE.
On the IT side, we have been joined by Chris Pavey. He replaces Grant Carter as IT Support Technician.
15 May 2006
New ITOPF Handbook
ITOPF has just published its latest annual Handbook, which contains information and guidance for those likely to be involved in spills of oil and chemicals from ships. This year's edition contains updated information on oil spill statistics, spill compensation, and ITOPF staff. Information is also provided on the fate and effects of oil spills, clean-up techniques and the organisation of spill response and planning.
Copies of the ITOPF Handbook are available free to ITOPF Members and Associates, as well as to closely related groups. Single copies are also available to others on request - contact Terry Goodchild or download a PDF version from our Publications page.
29 March 2006
Poseidon Challenge
The Poseidon Challenge is an initiative of Intertanko in which a number of shipping companies and organisations are participating on a voluntary basis with the aim of encouraging improved standards in the safe and clean carriage of goods by sea. Whilst not directly involved in the Challenge, ITOPF is lending its support for the initiative by way of a general statement (38Kb).
3 March 2006
Meeting with UK Shipping Minister
The Chairman of ITOPF, Dr Helmut Sohmen, and Dr Tosh Moller had the opportunity to arrange a meeting with the UK Shipping Minister, Dr Stephen Ladyman MP and his senior adviser, Mr David Bolomini at the London offices of the UK Department for Transport on 1st March 2006. The Department directs the activities of the lead agency for oil spill response in the United Kingdom, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
After a short introduction outlining the history and role of ITOPF we considered the work undertaken in contingency planning and promoting spill preparedness in partnership with IMO, UNEP, EMSA and other groups. The Minister was particularly interested in the challenge of raising awareness in high risk areas in Europe and elsewhere, and offered his assistance in bringing influence to bear at a high level should suitable opportunities arise.
We went on to describe an on-going project at ITOPF to digitise marine oil transportation data in a GIS-compatible format and in relation to our tanker spill database. The end-product will be useful in ITOPF's training and advisory assignments, and will serve to illustrate changing patterns of oil spill risks in all parts of the world.
In reviewing UK national spill response arrangements, the opportunity was taken to share ITOPF experiences gained whilst attending UK spills and exercises, and to identify strengths and weaknesses. Particular attention was given to the current status of research initiatives and associated funding issues in a European context. ITOPF has undertaken to submit specific observations on UK R&D programmes and will continue to support the Department as a member of the research committee of the MCA.
The developing role of EMSA is a matter of keen interest to both the Department and ITOPF. The substantial study on Response to Pollution from Ships undertaken for the European Commission and completed by ITOPF in April 2004 was discussed, along with the recent initiatives by EMSA to bolster at-sea response in European waters.
The briefing ended with a general exchange on the prospects for sustaining European and UK shipping, and opportunities for encouraging recruitment to the maritime industry. The Minister has a strong personal commitment to promote effective measures in concert with other stakeholders in the public and private sectors so as to counter the trends of falling numbers of European seafarers and a threatening skills gap.3 March 2006
New staff
We have recently recruited Natasha Lippens and Helen Chapman as Technical Advisers. Natasha has a degree in Zoology and an MSc in Environmental Technology with a specialisation in Ecological Management. She has worked as an international relations officer and research diver on a coral conservation expedition in the Comoros Islands, and recently completed an assignment with the Marine Resources Assessment Group Ltd.
Helen Chapman has a degree in Environmental Chemistry and a Masters degree in Environmental Management. Before joining ITOPF, she worked in waste and process industry regulation for the Environment Agency in Wales.
On the administration front, Tracey Mills replaces Duncan Judd as Membership Secretary. Tracey, formerly an Office Administrator, is responsible for all matters relating to Membership and Associate status, including the issuance of Membership Record Forms.28 February 2006
Tanker Spills Statistics 2005
ITOPF has just published its oil tanker spill statistics for 2005. Overall there were 24 incidents resulting in spills of 7 tonnes and over, with a combined spill volume of approximately 17,000 tonnes. This represents 14% more incidents than the previous year and a 13% increase in the quantity spilt in 2004, but the 2005 record is equal to the ten-year average of 24 incidents per year and below the average spilled volume of 36,000 tonnes per year in the period 1996-2005. More than half of the annual spill quantity was attributed to the barge DBL 152, which spilt an estimated 9000 tonnes of oil when it struck an underwater object in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA. The data also shows that there were 3 major spills over 700 tonnes in 2005, down from 5 in 2004.
Further details on the number and quantity of spills as a result of tanker accidents are available at www.itopf.com/stats.html. 10 February 2006