The Port Denarau Marina in collaboration with Pacific Energy Limited on Friday carried out a marina oil spill exercise in preparation to deal with such incidents.
Officials from the both companies and the Port’s other commercial stakeholders were involved in the one-day theory and practical session.
Port Denarau Marina general manager Cynthia Rasch said: “This is an awareness and collaboration programme between Pacific Energy and Port Denarau Marina.
“Exercises like this assist us in getting our staff, who are usually the first responders, up to speed on how to manage oil spills.”
Ms Rasch said the primary aim was to avoid accidents like oil spills from happening.
But sometimes in the marina environment they were bound to happen, she said.
“We know it is inevitable. As much as we can educate on other things we want to be able to respond,” Ms Rasch said.
According to Ms Rasch, the exercise was also a great opportunity to deploy the Port’s equipment for the staff and other stakeholders involved.
“We wanted to demonstrate how best we can contain oil spills depending on how major or minor it is with what equipment we can use,” she said.
“As you are aware there was a spill earlier in the year that was actually contained quickly.
“As in terms of marine conservation, we have to be aware of the fact what oil spills can do to the marine environment.
“It is very important for us to do our bit by training our staff and creating awareness.
“We give our staff the tools and resources necessary to be able to have the knowledge to take care of an oil spill if they occur.”
The exercise was one of the first ones undertaken this year.
Pacific Energy commercial business manager Nemani Kobiti said: “This is to equip and increase the knowledge of the guys at the Port Denarau Marina, including Pacific Energy as operators.
“People need to know how to manage the spill from identifying the product and then which equipment to be used to control the spill.”
Source : Fiji Sun