Kevin was the main facilitator at a training workshop for Oil Spill On-Scene Commanders on National Contingency Planning and Oil spill Preparedness and Response. The workshop was held at The Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC) in Hurghada, Egypt. PERSGA has established MEMAC on the basis of the Protocol concerning Regional Co-operation in Combating Pollution by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency annexed to Jeddah Convention of 1982. The major objective of MEMAC is to build the capacities of the countries in the region and to coordinate among them in contingency cases as well as to develop their national capabilities in combating oil pollution.
The workshop was developed to enhance the capacities of the member countries and to improve the overall performance of the focal points at the regional level. The main objectives were:
The Consolidated Jeddah Convention (1982)
The Contracting Parties shall:
“…[formulate] national contingency plans for combating oil pollution….[and] shall co-ordinate their national plans for combating pollution in the marine environment by oil and other harmful substances in a manner that facilitates full co-operation in dealing with pollution emergencies…” (Jeddah Convention, Article IX “Co-operation in Dealing with Pollution Emergencies”, Point 1 and 3)
“…cooperate in taking the necessary and effective measures to protect the coastline and related interests of one or more of the Parties from the threat and effects of pollution due to the presence of oil or other harmful substances in the marine environment resulting from marine emergencies...”(Oil Protocol, Article II):
“…individually or jointly, take all necessary measures, including those to ensure that adequate equipment and qualified personnel are readily available, to deal with pollution emergencies in the Sea Area, whatever the cause of such emergencies, and to reduce or eliminate damage resulting there from...” (Action Plan, Part II “Environmental management”, Point 18.6
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