The Regional Clean Sea Organisation (RECSO), in association with SEACOR Environmental Services Middle East (SESME), conducted an IMO Level II, training course from 10-13 July at the Crowne Plaza in Dubai for Incident Commanders and On-Scene Co-ordinators.

The training was aimed specifically at individuals who would undertake the role of Incident Commander or On-Scene Co-ordinator during an oil spill in the Gulf Region. A number of topics were taught including; safety during a response; media management; oil spill response equipment; use of dispersants; waste management; environmental impacts; and oil spill response strategies. The lectures were complemented by desktop exercises involving fictitious spill scenarios, practical field sessions and a major equipment deployment on the final day at Umm Suqeim in co-operation with the Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality and Coastguard.

Participants were from a wide range of organizations and locations including; Dubai Petroleum Company; Dubai Drydocks; Dubai Municipality; Saudi Aramco; Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations; Al-Khafji Joint Operations; Kuwait Oil Company; Mideast Ship Management Ltd; Petroleum Development Oman; Qatar Petroleum; Bahrain Petroleum Company; Saudi Arabian Texaco; and Zakum Development Company.