of the most pertinent requirements of this instruc-
tion follow.
Municipal regional waste collection and
disposal systems are to be used by shore activities
whenever possible. All materials (solid fuels,
petroleum products, chemicals, etc.) are to be
handled so as to prevent or minimize pollution
of the air and water. Resources are to be con-
served by reprocessing, reclamation, and reuse of
waste materials whenever feasible. Ships must use
port disposal facilities for all wastes prior to get-
ting underway and upon return to port. Oil pro-
ducts will not be discharged within any prohibited
zone, and trash and garbage will not be discard-
ed within 12 miles of shore; waste materials nor-
mally will not be burned in open fires. Sinking
agents and dispersants will not be used for com-
bating oil spills except when necessary to reduce
hazard to human life, or when there is a substan-
tial fire hazard.
In striving to meet requirements of the Clean
Air and Water Quality Improvement Acts, the
Navy has instituted several ongoing programs,
some of which are in operation; others are being
tested and evaluated. For example, completely
enclosed firefighting training facilities from which
no smoke escapes are now in operation. Aboard
ship, the shift from Navy standard fuel oil to
distillate will greatly reduce air pollution because
of the distillates low sulfur content. (It also is
a cleaner-burning fuel.) Undergoing evaluation
are several models of self-contained shipboard
sanitary treatment systems that eliminate the
discharge of polluted sewage.
OIL POLLUTION
The Navy, as required by a National Con-
tingency Plan, has established a rapid response
capability at each of its major naval bases to clean
up oil spills emanating from naval vessels or shore
facilities. At many naval activities, these
capabilities include contractors, other Federal
agencies, and municipal, civic, and other local and
volunteer organizations. To provide adequate
equipment for this purpose, the Navy, under
the direction of the Naval Facilities Engi-
neering Command, is pursuing a multi-year
technical development and procurement program
at the Naval Construction Battalion Center,
Pt. Hueneme, CA. This program has already
resulted in significant improvements in equipment
and cleanup techniques. As new methods of im-
provements are developed, this information is
used in equipment procurement and operator
training programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) issued
OPNAVINST 6240.3E, which assigned specific
responsibilities to the fleet commanders, area
coordinators, the Chief of Naval Material, and
other major claimants with respect to oil spill
cleanup.
Area Coordinator
Area Coordinators assume the role of, or
designate, on-scene coordinators and on-scene
commanders for navy oil spills. They are respon-
sible for planning contingency operations and for
coordinating, with local commands and ap-
propriate local, state, and federal agencies, the
implementation of these contingency plans. They
are also responsible for coordinating and im-
plementing the development of effective and com-
prehensive contingency plans for naval activities
within their areas.
On-Scene Coordinator
The on-scene coordinator (OSC), person
predesignated by the Area Coordinator, is respon-
sible for making all reports required by OP-
NAVINST 6240.3E and by any local instruction
pertaining to reporting oil spills. Final message
reports must be submitted within 24 hours after
securing a cleanup operation.
When a report of a navy polluting incident is
received, OSC must obtain full information
concerning,
(1) Ship or activity involved;
(2) The location of the spill;
(3) The time and date of the spill, if known;
(4) The amount (in gallons) and type of oil
spills, or the amount (pounds/kilograms) and type
of hazardous substance(s) spilled;
(5) The primary and secondary causes of the
spill, if known;
ENGINEMAN 1 & C
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