Key Services

Strengthen the operational effectiveness of the implementation of the Cartagena Oil Spills Protocol, the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation 1990 (OPRC 1990) and its plan, through the provision of technical services.

The associated activities are as follows:

• • Conduct sub-regional and regional exercises for testing the regional and national OPRC plans.
  • Coordinate regional emergency response activities and mobilizing international assistance pursuant to the OPRC Convention on request.
  • Conduct national exercises for testing national contingency plans. Review of contingency plans to identify the status/responsibilities regarding Oil Spill Preparedness and Response.
  • Tabletop exercise helping to promote discussions on the assessment and update of the contingency plan. Strengthening interrelationships amongst stakeholders and to capture information directly pertinent to a contingency plan.
  • Use of gap analysis tool such as ARPEL’s Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS™) .
  • Promote bilateral and multilateral agreements, government-industry partnerships or regional strategies

Over the years the Centre has delivered different IMO model courses to strengthen national capabilities:

1. IMO Level I/II/II OPRC training courses

– IMO Level 1 oil spill training – First Responder

Target Group
This course is designed for all technicians or supervisors who will participate in oil spill response teams or manage logistics and waste disposal in the field. In addition this course will provide an in-depth introduction to oil spill response.

Course Objectives
The objective of the IMO Level I Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) training activity is to provide first responders responsible for undertaking on-site cleanup operations with a complete overview of the various techniques available for recovering spilled oil and cleaning polluted shorelines so they can become effective members of an oil spill response team and be aware of other issues that are occurring during a spill.

Course Duration
3 days

– IMO Level 2 oil spill training– Supervisor / on-scene commander 

Target Group
This course is designed for government, industry, and non-government organization members having knowledge of and supervisory responsibility for oil response planning and operations.

Course Objectives
The objective of the training is to provide trained and experienced personnel, having significant management responsibilities to coordinate and supervise response operations, the ability to deliver a timely, organized, and effective response.

Course Duration
3 days

– IMO Level 3 oil spill training – Senior 

Target Group
This course is designed for senior managers and administrators from government and industry who would normally be called upon to make management decisions related to national policy and financial responsibility for oil spill response activities.

Course Objectives
The objective of the training is to provide senior managers and administrators with an awareness of the roles and responsibilities of senior personnel in the management of oil spills of national significance and the many and often times competing challenges presented to them during a major spill event.

Course Duration
2 days

2. Information and exchange on IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention (2004) and ballast water management

As Regional Coordinating Organization for the GEF/UNDP/IMO Global Ballast Water Management Partnership Programme (GloBallast Project) the Centre can coordinate different training and workshop to assist the Wider Caribbean States and Territories with the implementation of the BWM Convention.

The associated activities are as follows:

1. 1. Introductory Ballast Water Management
   2. Port Biological Baseline Surveys
   3. Legal Implementation
   4. Operational Aspects of Ballast Water Management
   5. Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement with emphasis on sampling and analysis

3. MARPOL and port reception facilities trainings

Over the past years RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe, together with IMO and the UNEP through its Caribbean Environment Program conducted a series of seminars to facilitate the implementation of the MARPOL 73/78 Convention .

It covers potential sources of pollution from ships with six annexes (namely Oil, Noxious Substances in Bulk, Harmful Substances in Packaged Form, Sewage, Garbage and Air Emissions), both in accidental or operational situations.

The purpose of these seminars is to offer decision-making authorities and other stakeholders information regarding the steps needed to implement and enforce the MARPOL Convention and Annexes, in order for them to be able to lead their Governments’ efforts in strategic targeting for development of relevant legislation, tools and measurements for compliance, monitoring, and enforcement by both Port State and Flag State Controls.

4. Anti-fouling systems seminars

The objective of the training workshop is:

1. 1. To provide training and give participants a full understanding of the AFS Convention, with a view towards ratification and implementation of this international instrument
   2. To increase awareness on the use of potential harmful anti-fouling systems on ships
   3. To share experience and lessons learned from Countries that have ratified the Convention, and
   4. To facilitate exchanges in terms of legislative, institutional and policy reforms to be undertake;
   5. To enable Inspectors to discharge their responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

5. Liability and compensation regimes for pollution damage seminars

RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe, together with IMO and the Secretariat of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1992 can deliver workshops on the international liability and compensatory regimes for pollution damage.

The objective of this activity is to provide detailed information on the importance and benefits of being Party to the international oil pollution compensatory regime instruments (1992 Civil Liability Convention, 1992 Fund Convention and Bunkers Convention) as well as the practical aspects of establishing the necessary mechanisms at the national level for the implementation of these conventions.