Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:43:11 +0800

Hi Dilwar

Thank you for sharing your thought on the oil spill incident in Queensland. I am sure AMSA is doing its best to handle the incident. Australia is well known and well respected for its high standard in protecting its marine environment. I wish AMSA all the best in their efforts to combat the oil spill.

Compared with Australia Singapore is a small dot in the world map. As you seem to be keen to know why and how we protect our environment, I share part of our humble experience below:

Our strategic location at the cross roads of shipment of goods by sea between Europe/Middle East and Asia Pacific  makes us vulnerable to oil/chemical pollution. Half of world's oil demand is met by large oil tankers passing through Malacca and Singapore Straits. Being the busiest port in the world, a leading container transhipment hub, the world’s top bunkering port, No. 1 ship repair centre and the 3rd largest oil refining centre, Singapore is faced with constant threat of pollution from ships. We have, therefore, implemented a comprehensive policy based on three pillars to protect the marine environment. The pillars are prevention, preparedness and response and liability and compensation.

Under the first pillar, we have accepted and implemented all IMO Conventions related to the marine environment e.g. all six annexes of MARPOL, traffic separation scheme, VTIS, continuos patrol of waters from both air and from sea surface, a robust reporting system involving relevant government agencies, shipping community, civilian aircraft, members of public, satellite monitoring, mandatory carriage of transponders on ships operating in Singapore waters to monitor their location, high tech oil spill modelling etc. Workshops, seminars, courses and conferences are frequently held to educate all stake-holders.

Under preparedness and response, we have implemented both OPRC 90 and OPRC HNS Protocols. We have strictly enforced national oil and chemical spill contingency plans, and plans required by ships, ports, oil and chemical handling facilities etc. Regular oil and chemical spill exercises are carried out. We have a large stock pile of oil spill equipment and dispersants.

For liability and compensation we have implemented both CLC 92 and  Fund 92  Convention.

We enforce our legislation strictly. The master of a ship, owner, or an agent, individually or  jointly are liable for oil and chemical pollution and each can be fined up to $1 million or imprisonment up to 2 years or both.  

I am sure, Australia has implemented similar or better measures to prevent pollution of the sea. No matter, how much precautions, an authority takes, some accidents are bound to happen. If right measures are in place, damage to the environment and resources can be minimized significantly. I am confident that AMSA will handle this unfortunate incident efficiently and effectively.
With warm regards.  
Zafrul Alam

Dear Hannan,
 
I am appalled with the above incident. I do not understand how a  vessel was allowed to navigate in a restricted zone  and further ,how the vessel navigated in cyclone prone  season in such close proximity ,and worst of all  how the vessel entered centre of “Hamishâ€�.
There are  persistent  pollution incidents in our iconic tourist belt
This time it was  not just massive oil spill but discharged substantial toxic waste which seeped though  the sand and would have long term detrimental effect.
 Strangely, AMSA was not aware of this disaster until 24 hrs passed.
 
As matter of interest,  I  would be keen to know ,how AMSA has been structured to address these situations  in comparison to USA/S’pore.
My feelings are that you(AMSA) have adequate legislative tools in place, but lack robust communication, escalation process, DRP, monitoring and policing regime.
I believe ,we need to learn from S’pore, how they manage such a huge marine traffic  constantly passing  through a narrow channel.
 
 I attended an EMS seminar this week and AMSA was strongly criticised. Australian Government is spending some billions of dollars in high speed custom boats  plus Arial marine surveillance on northern coastline just to deter few Asian boat people, I  wonder, what is being done to safeguard eastern seaboard from environment terrorists.
 
We, two families have booked and paid for Easter holidays in that area and we want our money back from  you guys.  Zafrul Alam and another of my VIP batch mate  Gulam  Suhawardi will be come to Australia in late next  month would like to get compensation from AMSA for ruining their holidays. Another heavy weight of my batch mate Quamrul Hossain would come to Australia around July/August would seek compensation from your department.
 
Sadaruddin,
I am enjoying your emails. We have another 10 Mariners added to our database, and now, probably have the largest number of Bangladeshi sea farers in Australia outside Bangladesh.
We are in discussion with Quarazzaman, Amin, Tauhid and other Sydneysiders to have our next Australia wide gathering in Hume lake resort, Albury. I believe, you must be coming to Canberra for meeting/training . Please let us know your visit so that we can schedule our reunion accordingly.
 
Guys, a bit of fun. Hope do not take it seriously.
 
Regards.
 
Dilwar Ali
minaligroup@optusnet.com.au