Contingency Planning for Oil Spills: An Update Based on Experience Gained from the Port Angeles Spill

Although the best method for handling an oil spill is to prevent its occurrence, the risk of a significant oil spill, from either a tank or other vessel, is always present. When a spill does occur, a good spill contingency plan will help to limit the adverse effects of the spill. This paper discusses the contents and development of Spill Contingency Plans, with emphasis on experience gained during the cleanup of the Port Angeles spill. Information pertinent to and details from ARCO Marine Inc.'s Spill Contingency Plan have been included to aid interested parties in their endeavors to develop suitable contingency plans.