¿Qué es la planificación de contingencia?

Contingency planning plays a pivotal role in environmental protection, particularly in the context of oil spill management. Despite the significance of preventive measures, oil spills resulting from global oil exploration, production and transportation still happen.

In response to these incidents, robust preparedness measures are essential to ensure a swift and coordinated response that minimises the adverse consequences.  

The benefits of contingency planning are multifaceted and include: 

• Enhanced Response Efficiency: Contingency planning allows for the development of pre-prepared response strategies aimed at reducing ecological, economic, and amenity damage. This results in a more effective and efficient response to oil spill incidents. 

• Reiteration of Environmental Priorities: using NEBA or SIMA, Contingency planning reaffirms the environmental priorities of both businesses and governments in the preparedness phase, emphasising their commitment to environmental protection and its responsible management. 

• Improved Public Perception: Contingency planning enhances public and media understanding of the industry's positive efforts in environmental preservation.  

Ultimately, oil spill contingency planning serves as a critical tool in mitigating the impact of oil spills, safeguarding economic and ecological well-being.

An OSCP can vary depending on content type, company and legislative requirements, but will typically encompass the following key elements: 

• Spill Impact Mitigation Assessment (SIMA) for one mutually agreed-upon scenario, typically the worst-case, developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders using available data. The resulting matrix will be incorporated into the OSCP. 
• Strategic logistical details, including the identification of primary airports and associated flight times. 
• Overview of feasible and pertinent response techniques. 
• Information on source control measures and indicative response times.
• Guidelines for generic oil spill response waste management. 
• Country-specific information on oiled wildlife response, when available. Stakeholder engagement will be sought with their consent for inclusion in the plan, if pertinent.

Response actions detail the expectations of the business, helping you understand the national authorities' expectations of you. The available tiered equipment will be listed, allowing you to make response decisions based on the immediate spill and reality.  

Supporting documents/appendices should include additional background information or material not directly required during a response. These include planning justification and preparedness details, e.g. risk assessment documentation and Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA). These documents will be required for regulatory review, planning assessments and plan updates. The combined plan and supporting documentation should demonstrate a rigorous planning process to build the response capability.

The Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) serves as a systematic blueprint for successful coordination among diverse response teams managing oil spill incidents, ensuring an organized and streamlined effort. It clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of different response teams, designating decision-making authorities as well as communication points and procedures. The plan designates specific individuals and agencies responsible for disseminating information, which helps ensure that critical data is shared promptly among response teams. This streamlined communication network minimises delays and enhances the efficiency of the response efforts. 

Equally noteworthy is the OSCP's emphasis on preparedness by promoting regular training exercises and drills. These exercises not only ensure that response teams are well-prepared and knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities but also serve as forums for testing communication systems and coordination mechanisms. Addressing potential challenges and refining the OSCP based on these exercises, ultimately contributes to efficient communication and coordination during oil spill incidents, ensuring a prompt and effective response when crises occur.

The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990 (OPRC 90) is the international legislation that provides a framework designed to facilitate international cooperation and mutual assistance in preparing for and responding to major oil pollution incidents. Signatory countries play a pivotal role in implementing the OPRC 90 on a global scale. Their responsibilities include: 

1. National Response Systems: Signatory nations must establish and maintain a national system for responding to oil pollution incidents, designating a coordinating authority and operational contact point for effective communication and coordinated operations during spills. 

2. National Contingency Plans: OPRC 90 mandates the development and upkeep of comprehensive national contingency plans. These plans outline response procedures, equipment, communication protocols, and training in efficient oil spill management. An NOSCP also sets the boundaries and requirements for an operators OSCP in country, 

3. Reporting and Information Sharing: Signatory countries must provide the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with information on responsible authorities, response equipment, and agreements related to oil pollution preparedness. This sharing promotes transparency and facilitates resource and knowledge exchange. 

4. Cooperation and Assistance: OPRC 90 encourages signatory nations to establish cooperative agreements with other State Parties, bolstering collective response capabilities. The conventions also allow countries to request aid from fellow State Parties during significant pollution incidents, ensuring swift access to resources and expertise.