Imo Oprc Model Training Course

A FIRST IN INDIA IMO OPRC MODEL TRAINING COURSE-LEVEL 2: FOR SUPERVISORS/ON-SCENE COMMANDERS The International Maritime Organization has developed as part of the Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention, 1990 (OPRC), three courses to train First Responders, Supervisors/On-Scene Commanders and Senior Managers/Administrators to respond to marine oil spills. The Indian Coast Guard being the Central Coordinating Authority for responding to oil spills affecting the maritime zones of India has been undertaking IMO level – I training to the personnel belonging to various ports and oil handling companies for the past 10 years. Need was now felt that the Coast Guard should coordinate IMO Level-2 course for Supervisors and On Scene Commanders.

For coordinating the level _II course, the Coast Guard made a tie-up with the AMET University Chennai to conduct the IMO Level-II course at their premises and staff resourced from the University, Coast Guard, and the Industry. The course forms the cornerstone for the conduct and management of an effective response to a marine oil spill, and hence, an effective national response capability. Personnel from ports and oil handling companies, involved in oil pollution response, were the participants to this IMO OPRC Model Training Course - Level 2, Supervisors/On-Scene Commanders held at AMET University, Chennai from 20-24 Jul 2009 . There were 25 participants on this oil spill response course, which will now be held regularly at AMET University. The objective of the course is to train members of an oil spill response team organization to effectively respond to an oil spill through the deployment of equipment and resources at the local level. The course focus, therefore, is on the operational management and tactics involved in responding to oil spills. These procedures represent the critical delivery element of any national contingency plan. The course is 5 full days in length composed of lectures, group assignments and exercises This is an excellent opportunity for personnel to learn about the oil spill response supervision and take decisions at local level for coordinating tier-I level response. Also, as response officials from various ports and oil handling agencies are participating , the response personnel will be able to gain a better insight into the attitudes and actions of industry and the public from the various course instructors. The entry requirement for the course is that the personnel nominated should be at least a middle level manager and has undergone Coast Guard Level- I course earlier or has sufficient experience in Pollution Response Operations. The course administration is also managed by the AMET University Chennai, a centre of excellence for Higher Education and Research in the maritime, marine and allied fields . The AMET University is located in Uthandi in the ECR road and the University has all facilities in their premises to provide all round training, that includes a brief tanker familiarization, simulator systems and visit to Ports and sensitive shoreline areas. The feedback of the participants to the first course has been excellent and far exceeding their expectations.