The Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) is a critical document developed in compliance with Regulation 26 of Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). The purpose of the SOPEP is to provide the ship’s master and officers with the necessary guidance to respond effectively when an oil pollution incident occurs or is imminent. The plan includes operational instructions and essential contact information, ensuring that actions are taken swiftly and accurately to mitigate the impact of an oil discharge.
The SOPEP is a dynamic document that must be regularly reviewed and updated, with revisions submitted for approval by the relevant authorities. While the administration’s approval is necessary for major changes, updates to the appendices and contact details can be made independently by the vessel’s owners and operators. It is vital that all personnel on board are familiar with the contents of the plan and that regular training and exercises are conducted to ensure readiness in the event of an emergency.
By providing a structured and systematic approach to responding to oil pollution incidents, the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan helps minimize environmental damage and ensures that the ship and its crew are prepared for swift and effective action in the event of an oil spill.
When an accident occurs, the Master’s foremost priority is to ensure the safety of personnel onboard and take immediate action to prevent the situation from worsening. In cases where grounding, structural damage, or breaches exceed the vessel's capability for stability and strength calculations, external assistance must be sought. Below, we will consider various scenarios that may occur in the regular life of a seafarer while on board a vessel and how they should be addressed in the event of a SOPEP emergency.
Immediate Actions:
Sound the emergency alarm and activate emergency response procedures.
Conduct a visual inspection for hull leakage and assess the vessel's condition.
Take seabed soundings to analyze the terrain and gradient.
Evaluate tidal ranges and currents in the area.
Sound ballast and bunker tanks to identify any discrepancies.
Compare current soundings with departure soundings to gauge potential oil release risks.
Damage Control Measures:
Internally transfer bunkers from damaged tanks.
Consider transferring cargo to barges or ships.
Trim or lighten the vessel to minimize further damage and pollution.
If self-refloating risks further damage, secure the vessel using:
Anchors.
Ballast adjustments.
Checklist: A checklist for grounding response must be referred to; usually, ERS (Emergency Response Services) checklists cover all the necessary steps.
Immediate Actions:
Sound the emergency alarm and deploy the fire emergency team.
Determine damage extent and assess casualty numbers.
Request external assistance if required.
Evaluate oil spill risks and notify relevant parties if spillage occurs.
Checklist: A checklist for fire/explosion response must be referred to; usually, ERS (Emergency Response Services) checklists cover all the necessary steps.
Immediate Actions:
Sound the emergency alarm and initiate emergency procedures.
Assess for casualties and pollution risks.
Damage Control Measures:
Determine if separating the vessels could increase oil spillage.
Isolate or transfer oil from breached tanks.
Notify authorities if spillage occurs.
Checklist: A checklist for collision response must be referred to; usually, ERS (Emergency Response Services) checklists cover all the necessary steps.
Immediate Actions:
Sound the emergency alarm and assemble the crew.
Reduce speed to minimize hull stress.
Assess immediate risks of sinking or capsizing.
Pollution and Stability Considerations:
Notify authorities if oil is spilled or jettisoned.
Seek technical assistance for calculating stress and stability.
Account for weather conditions impacting the situation.
Checklist: A checklist for hull failure response must be referred to; usually, ERS (Emergency Response Services) checklists cover all the necessary steps.
Causes:
Hull plating failure.
Cargo shift.
Engine room flooding causing free-surface effects.
Immediate Actions:
Stop ongoing cargo, bunkering, or ballast operations.
Sound the emergency alarm and assemble the crew.
Stop or reduce vessel speed and identify the cause of the list.
Damage Control:
Sound all tanks and compare with departure readings.
Notify authorities in case of oil spillage.
Take corrective actions to rectify the list.
Checklist: A checklist for excessive list response must be referred to; usually, ERS (Emergency Response Services) checklists cover all the necessary steps.
Calculate impacts on stress and stability before mitigating oil spills or refloating the vessel.
Seek technical manager support for damage analysis if internal calculations are inadequate.
Required Information for Technical Assistance:
Ship’s intact condition.
Damage specifics.
Ship’s draft, cargo, and fuel state.
Local conditions such as tides and weather.
Secure valves and hermetically seal tanks. Ensure emergency tow ropes are in place.
Immediate Measures:
Stop operations and close central valves.
Sound the alarm and initiate emergency response.
Inform personnel of the incident.
Follow-Up Actions:
Contain oil spills onboard using sorbents and solvents.
Safely store residues for disposal.
Obtain permission from authorities or the terminal to resume operations.
Immediate Measures:
Stop cargo and bunkering operations.
Sound the alarm and notify relevant personnel.
Leakage Control:
Locate the source with the Oil Pollution Prevention Team.
Reduce tank levels or create a water cushion for leaks below the waterline.
Call divers for further investigation if required.
Immediate Action
Sound the emergency alarm: The person discovering the incident should initiate this action.
Initiate vessel emergency response procedures: The officer on duty is responsible for starting these procedures.
Initial Response
Cease all cargo and/or bunkering operations: The officer on duty should stop these operations immediately.
Close central filling valves: The officer on duty is responsible for closing the valves.
Consider stopping air-intake to accommodation/cargo hold: The officer on duty should assess the need to stop the air-intake.
Stop non-essential air-intake to engine room: The officer on duty should stop the non-essential air-intake.
Locate the source of the leakage: The officer on duty should identify the source.
Stop or reduce the flow of oil: The officer on duty should take appropriate action to stop or reduce the flow.
Commence cleanup procedures using absorbents/solvents: The chief officer should begin the cleanup process.
Comply with reporting procedures: The master is responsible for ensuring all necessary reports are made.
Secondary Response
Assess fire risk from the release of flammable substances: The chief officer should evaluate the potential fire risk.
Reduce oil level in the relevant tank by transferring oil to an empty or slack tank: The chief officer should manage the oil level in the tank.
Reduce the oil level in tanks in the suspected area: The chief officer is responsible for this action.
Arrange portable pumps for the transfer of oil to shore or lighter: The chief officer should organize portable pumps for this task.
Further Response
Pump water into the leaking tank to create a water cushion and prevent further oil loss: The chief officer should manage this action.
If the leakage is below the waterline, arrange for divers to investigate: The master is responsible for coordinating the investigation.
Calculate stresses/stability if necessary: The chief officer should assess the structural stability and stress of the vessel.
Stow residues from the cleanup carefully prior to disposal: The officer on duty should ensure that the cleanup residues are stored properly for disposal.
