Oil spill exercise puts Newcastle’s incident control plan to the test

Newcastle Harbour Master Vikas Bangia declared a Port Emergency on Wednesday 15 September and Thursday 16 September, in the vicinity of the Snake Pit, after receiving a report that tug, Nos Mo King was leaking oil in the water 

An Incident Management Team (IMT) was organised, and the Newcastle Port Centre Training room was transformed into a makeshift Incident Control Centre. 

“The IMT swung into action producing a situation report, incident action plan, and initial media briefing under the watchful eye of Port of Newcastle Operations Limited representative,’’ Captain Bangia said. 

“Port Officers exercised the incident action plan by the IMT by placing a boom and a J shape deflection boom in the Snake Pitt. High volume, low pressure flushing techniques were also practiced, all under the watchful eye of the IMT members and Transport of NSW.” 

All activities were conducted in line with the risk assessment developed for the exercise. 

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