The course is developed for personnel with responsibility for the protection and clean-up of near-shore and shore-line areas. Attendees were raised their knowledge and competence to prepare for and undertake oil spill clean-up operations. This also included a thorough review of oil spill response techniques for both near-shore and shoreline pollution and focus on the need for preparedness through contingency planning. A number of topics were taught including; Fate and behavior of oil and the implications for response; Contingency planning; Alert, mobilization and reporting of spills; Operations management – making the right strategy choice and carrying out successful operations; Containment and recovery systems; Use of dispersants; Shoreline clean-up and protection techniques; Logistics, maintenance and communications; Waste management – transfer, storage and disposal; and Hazards to personnel and responding safely.
The lectures were complemented by spill scenarios, practical field sessions and a major equipment deployment of containment booms, skimmers and beach cleaning equipments on the final day at Umm Suqeim in co-operation with the Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality.