Ocean services - the companys current activities, legislative requirements and any possible impacts on the environment.

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CONSEQUENCES OF OPERATIONS        


FOREWORD

Any activity in the maritime area has the potential to impact directly upon its immediate area and can collaterally damage other sections of the environment. For example, the introduction of an alien species in something as simple as ballast water may end up destroying an entire ecosystem. From a commercial sense, the advantages of adopting sound environmental responsibility range from reducing the chance of incurring hefty fines or costs involved in clean up operations, to assisting in the development of new partnerships with like minded organisations.  Assuming a greater role as an advocate can pay bigger dividends by helping an organisation have a greater influence upon its activities and assist in continuing current and future activities.

INTRODUCTION

Ocean Services is a small company that provides practical seagoing experience and training in seamanship, navigation and shipboard life.  Ocean operations are conducted onboard the MV Star, a purpose built training vessel, which was built in 1999. Ocean operates on a cycle of 25 five day training cruises, primarily in and within 60 nautical miles (nm) of Botany Bay NSW. The vessel is registered in NSW and licensed to carry up to 40 persons. The normal breakdown of personnel embarked in MV Star and their responsibilities are as follows:

  • Master and Crew.  The crew totals 12 personnel who have the prime responsibility of safely operating and navigating the vessel at sea and providing maintenance and support during alongside periods.  The master is also the company’s Director and operates all administrative functions of the company onboard the vessel.
  • Maritime Instructors. Star normally embarks four training officers, who are also employees of the company.  Their primary role is facilitation of training and providing administrative support for embarked students.
  • Trainees.  Star normally embarks up to 15 students per cruise. The students come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from private individuals to employees of large national and international shipping companies.

Since commencing operations in 1999 the company has steadily grown in size and stature and is now regarded as a leading maritime training provider.  Ocean’s Director believes that the future of the company is in the provision of training services to the larger shipping companies, in particular overseas clients.  As part of this planned growth Ocean intends to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS), in this case ISO 14001 certification.  

PURPOSE

Prior to developing an environmental policy it is important to initially review the company’s current activities, legislative requirements and any possible impacts on the environment. The purpose of this document is to review operations using the considerations recommended in ISO 14004 – the Guidelines for 14001 (Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand 1996b, p.5).

SCOPE

This document will:

  • Review the relevant regulations and legislation
  • Review the consequences of operations upon the environment
  • Evaluate performance against the relevant conventions and legislative requirements
  • Provide examples of how to manage, implement and check the impact of operations
  • Highlight the advantages of implementing an Environmental Management System

RELEVANT POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Maritime operations are covered by a number of protocols and regulations.  All relevant international and national requirements will be reviewed due to the company’s international training aspirations.  

International Conventions

At an international level the most important convention regulating and preventing marine pollution by ships is the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) International Conventions for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).  This convention was originally agreed in 1973, and was modified by the Protocol of 1978, dealing mainly with pollution from oil tankers.  The convention covers accidental and operational oil pollution as well a pollution by chemicals, goods in packaged form, sewerage, garbage (from ships) and air pollution.  The convention was developed after a series of major catastrophes when tankers were grounded and spilt vast quantities of crude oil along populated sections of the coastline. However, MARPOL is only part of an overall scheme of international conventions, which include (Gandy 2003 p 259):

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  • The Intervention Convention, that affirms the right of a coastal State to take measures on the high seas to prevent, mitigate, or eliminate danger to its coastline from a maritime casualty.
  • The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990.  This provides a global framework for international co-operation in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution.  A protocol to this convention (HNS Protocol) covers marine pollution by hazardous and noxious substances.

The MARPOL 73/78 Convention is the main international convention that affects mariners, because it covers pollution from operational or accidental causes.  It includes specific regulations, ...

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