Assisting Oil Pollution Preparedness in the Mediterranean

Richard Tatner carried out IMO OPRC Level 2 training for Falzon Group Malta to ensure compliance with their newly awarded contract to provide oil pollution response to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The training covered on-scene commander & supervisors, plus train-the-trainer sessions in at-sea containment and recovery systems. Falzon have a contract with European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide a stand-by oil spill response vessel for the Mediterranean. They have taken the unprecedented decision to train all their response personnel to IMO OPRC Level 2, exceeding the EMSA contractual requirements. In addition, two members of staff received train-the-trainer tuition to ensure that deployments can be correctly supervised and managed and that new crew members can be properly inducted.  

The training was conducted aboard the motor tanker Santa Maria whilst berthed at a ship yard in Valletta. The Santa Maria will become Falzon Group’s main response vessel for combating oil spills at sea. At the time of the training the tanker was being fitted with the necessary oil pollution containment, recovery and treatment systems, in readiness for the commencement of the 3-year EMSA contract.