National Spill Control School’s Post

Security for the Blue Economy Security for all activities, Above or Βelow sea level #SEC4BLUEconomy24 Maritime, SAR, Offshore Infrastructures (Oil & Gas exploration/exploitation platforms, Wind & Wave farms, Pipelines, Power & Telecom cables, Aquaculture farms), Ports, Marinas You don't want to miss out! Stay tuned for all the latest information. www.sec4blueconomy.eu You can reach out now to enquire. #eastmed #easternmediterranean #europe #europeanunion #middleeast #greece #cyprus #egypt #israel #blueeconomy #sea #eez #geopolitics #defence #security #securityawareness #europeancoastguard #EUCoastGuard #frontex #coastguard #searchandrescue #SAR #unmannedsystems #patrolboat #fastpatrolboat #offshorepatrolvessel #offshore #offshoredrilling #oilandgas #gas #naturalgas #lng #exploration #oilandgasexploration #pipelines #subsea #energy #windfarms #wavefarms #ports #marinas #coastalsecurity #infrastructure #maritime #marine #shipping #maritimesecurity #maritimeindustry #naval #navaldefense #natoshippingcenter #natomarco #technology #strategy #business #risk #cybersecurity #conference

The recent loss of two Russian Volgoneft-class oil tankers, carrying 8,000 tons of oil, during a violent storm in the Kerch Strait is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in maritime operations. This heartbreaking incident, which claimed a life and risks catastrophic environmental damage, underscores critical areas where our industry must act: 🔹 Retire Aging Vessels: Phasing out ships like the Volgoneft class is essential to prevent structural failures under extreme conditions. 🔹 Enhance Safety Protocols: Stronger regulations, coupled with better emergency response planning and training, could save lives and ecosystems. 🔹 Advance Weather Readiness: Investing in predictive technologies can help vessels avoid storms and navigate more safely. 🔹 Collaborate for Change: The maritime community must unite to develop solutions, share resources, and push for global standards. At Fairport Yacht Support, we’re committed to learning from tragedies like this to build a safer, more sustainable maritime future. Our thoughts are with the crew, their families, and everyone impacted. Now is the time to reflect and act. Let’s discuss: How can we, as an industry, prevent such disasters from happening again? #MaritimeSafety #EnvironmentalProtection #InnovationInShipping

“…the stage for disaster was set by Panarctic’s bare minimum approach to safety, from its failure to create and enforce standard procedures, to its poorly trained crews, to its lack of emergency planning.” AdmiralCloudberg does a masterful job of describing these disasters. His Medium articles are must reading. #safety #aviation #arctic

Titanic: The Shipwreck that revolutionized Life Saving. In the early hours of April 15, 1912, the "unsinkable" RMS Titanic sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, claiming over 1500 lives. This disaster not only shocked the world but also marked a turning point in maritime safety, highlighting the critical flaws in existing regulations. The tragedy of the Titanic paved the way for the establishment of International Maritime Organization SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) in 1914, a set of international standards designed to prevent such catastrophic losses in the future. Under International Maritime Organization, requirements were imposed to ensure that all ships are equipped with life-saving equipment, including lifeboats, life jackets, and advanced communication systems to aid in rescue efforts. It also mandated regular safety drills, fire prevention measures, and structural ship improvements, creating a new benchmark for safety that protects both passengers and crew. The importance of these regulations has been demonstrated in numerous incidents since then, where SOLAS-compliant ships faced emergencies. The sinking of the MS Estonia in 1994 serves as a stark reminder of the challenges still present in maritime safety, as it tragically highlighted the failures in response and preparedness, resulting in the loss of 852 lives. In contrast, the Costa Concordia disaster in 2012 showcased a more positive outcome. Despite the unfortunate circumstances of its grounding, the vast majority of passengers were safely evacuated, thanks to rigorous safety drills and the availability of modern, SOLAS-mandated rescue equipment. As International Maritime Organization continues to evolve, it remains a cornerstone of maritime safety, ensuring that technological advancements are applied to prevent accidents and protect lives. This is not just about regulatory compliance;it’s about a commitment to safeguarding human life and preserving the environment for future generations. At AIFE Liferaft - Luso Safe Equipment , we are dedicated to ensuring that your vessel meets these international standards. #MaritimeSafety #SOLAS #Liferafts #AIFELiferaft #Ocean #ProtectYourCrew #TitanicLegacy

The tidewater area of Virginia faces significant risks from rising sea levels and is currently ranked the second most vulnerable location in the United States to these impacts. To address these challenges, Anchor QEA is supporting the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program in developing a framework to advance Virginia’s coastal resiliency and beneficial use (BU) of dredged material strategies. Alongside the VMRC team, Anchor QEA team members Mindy Strevig, P.E., Christopher L. Overcash, P.E., BCEE, and Ram Mohan facilitated a stakeholder workshop held at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences on August 20, 2024, to engage the industry and garner input for the framework. BU of dredged material (BUDM) aids in coastal and riverbank restoration, enhances habitats, reduces erosion, and offers cost-effective infrastructure solutions. Use of these materials in a beneficial manner promotes sustainable sediment management and minimizes environmental impacts. This project is funded by NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management and complements an ongoing study for the Elizabeth River Project—funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation—for which Anchor QEA is developing “thin-layer placement guidelines” to advance wetland restoration projects in the commonwealth. Nationally, Anchor QEA is committed to promoting BUDM in alignment with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Chief of Engineers’ 70/30 goal, which seeks to increase BUDM from USACE-maintained navigation channels and waterways to 70% nationwide by 2030. #Restoration #Resiliency #AnchorQEA #VMRC

Safe activity in the Arctic relies on international collaboration. Learn how the ARCSAR project succeeded, as shared by High North Center staff in this op-ed:

🚨 MORE AMAZING NEWS!! Today the Bureau of Land Management released stronger protections for the Western Arctic (officially called the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska). This new rule will put restrictions on oil and gas development and enhance the preservation of the Western Arctic's five Special Areas: Teshekpuk Lake, Colville River, Utokok Uplands, Peard Bay and Kasegaluk Lagoon. These areas hold immense significance for Indigenous communities, and feature invaluable habitats for wildlife and fish as well as intact lands and water. https://bit.ly/4b3UOmS

ACTION ALERT 🚨 The Surfrider Foundation has been fighting for decades to protect our nation's coasts from the threat of new offshore drilling. Now, we are urging the Biden administration to permanently protect the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Gulf of Mexico from future offshore oil and gas leasing. Offshore drilling is a polluting activity that causes grave impacts through every phase of the process, from exploratory seismic blasting that harms marine life to the inevitable oil spills that damage our environment and coastal communities. Sign our action alert petition today to help ensure long-term protection for the marine environment, wildlife, and coastal recreation and tourism from Maine to Florida. https://hubs.la/Q02HJXfy0 #ProtectOurCoast #DrillingIsKilling 

There is an opportunity to prevent future Willow Projects and to protect a significant amount of sensitive and critical wildlife habitat. The Biden administration plans to increase protections for designated special areas of the Western Arctic reserve. If this plan is finalized, 10.6 million acres would be off-limits to oil and gas drilling with opportunities for more protections in the future. The finalized plan is expected to be announced in Spring of 2024. https://lnkd.in/eY9pu_5b