LAW

OPRC
QUESTIONS ASKED:
1. WRITE SALIENT FEATURES OF OPRC [HNS] PROTOCOL. (JAN 08)
2. DESCRIBE THE MAIN FEATURES OF OPRC CONVENTION. STATE THE ENTITIES THAT FORM
PART OF THE OPRC CONVENTION IN ITS APPLICATION AND THEN DISCUSS THE
APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION WITH REGARD TO THE SHIPS. (MAY 08)
3. EXPLAIN THE SHIPS OBLIGATIONS AS REGARDS COMPLIANCE WITH OPRC 1990. (NOV 08)

FEATURES OF THE CONVENTION

1. SHIPS, OPERATORS OF OFFSHORE UNITS ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY A SHIPBOARD OIL
POLLUTION EMERGENCY PLAN,
2. SUCH PLANS MUST BE CO-ORDINATED WITH NATIONAL SYSTEMS FOR RESPONDING
PROMPTLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO OIL POLLUTION INCIDENTS,
3. SHIPS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT INCIDENTS OF POLLUTION TO COASTAL AUTHORITIES
AND THE CONVENTION GIVES THE ACTIONS THAT ARE THEN TO BE TAKEN,
4. THE SYSTEM ENCOURAGES THE ESTABILISHMENT OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL
SYSTEMS FOR RESPONDING POLLUTION INCIDENTS.
5. THE SYSTEMS SHOULD INCLUDE FEATURES SUCH AS NATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLANS,
OIL POLLUTION COMBATING EQUIPMENTS AND EXERCISES IN DEALING WITH SPILLS.
6. OIL POLLUTION COMBATING EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE KEPT ON BOARD AND AN
INVENTORY TO BE MAINTAINED,
7. RECORDS TO BE KEPT FOR OIL SPILL COMBATING EXERCISES AND DRILLS AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A DETAILED PLAN FOR DEALING WITH POLLUTION INCIDENTS,
8. THE KEY FEATURE OF THE CONVENTION IS THAT THE PARTIES WHO ARE MEMBERS TO
THIS CONVENTION ARE REQUIRED TO ASSIST OTHER PARTIES IN THE EVENT OF AN OIL
POLLUTION EMERGENCY BY PROVIDING ADVISORY SERVICES, TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND
EQUIPMENT.
9. IMO ITSELF IS DESIGNATED TO PERFORM A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS. THESE INCLUDE THE
PROVISIONS OF INFORMATION SERVICES, EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES, CO-
OPERATION IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

AIM OF THE CONVENTION

THE CONVENTION STRIVES:
1. TO PREVENT MARINE POLLUTION BY OIL,
2. TO ADVANCE THE ADOPTION OF RESPONSE MEASURES IN THE EVENT THAT AN OIL
POLLUTION INCIDENT DOES OCCUR,
3. TO PROVIDE FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN STATES FOR
THESE AIMS.

APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION

1. OIL TANKERS OF 150 GRT AND ABOVE,
2. OTHER SHIPS OF 400 GRT AND ABOVE,
3. ANY FIXED OR FLOATING OFFSHORE INSTALLATION OR STRUCTURE ENGAGED IN
EXPLORATION, EXPLOITATION, PRODUCTIN ACTIVITIES, LOADING AND UNLOADING OF
OIL.
4. ANY SEAPORT OR OIL HANDLING FACILITY THAT PRESENTS A RISK OF AN OIL POLLUTION
INCIDENT,
5. PARTIES WHO ARE MEMBERS TO THIS CONVENTION ARE REQUIRED TO ASSIST OTHER
PARTIES IN THE EVENT OF AN OIL POLLUTION EMERGENCY.
6. SHIPS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT INCIDENTS OF POLLUTION TO COASTAL AUTHORITIES.