IMO Oil Spill Response Level 1 (First Responders) Course

5-Day Intensive Operational Training Program

Course Overview

This comprehensive 5-day IMO OPRC Level 1 training course is designed for first responders and operational staff who are directly involved in oil spill response and cleanup operations. The course follows the IMO Model Course 4.02 standards and aligns with the OPRC Convention 1990 requirements, providing both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills for effective marine oil spill response.

Target Audience: Oil spill response team members, ship officers, port personnel, terminal operators, environmental response coordinators, emergency responders, and anyone with frontline responsibilities in oil pollution incidents.

Day 1: Introduction and Oil Spill Fundamentals

Morning Session (0900-1230)

Module 1: Course Introduction and Orientation

• Welcome and administrative arrangements

• Course objectives and learning outcomes

• Assessment and certification requirements

• Participant introductions and experience sharing

• Safety briefing and housekeeping

• Course structure overview

Module 2: International Legal Framework

• OPRC Convention 1990 - Obligations and requirements

• MARPOL 73/78 - Annexes I and II overview

• Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans (SOPEP)

• National oil spill contingency plans

• International cooperation mechanisms

• Liability and compensation (CLC and FUND Conventions)

• Regional agreements and protocols

Module 3: Overview of Oil Spill Response

• History of major oil spills and lessons learned

• Response organization structure

• Roles and responsibilities of first responders

• Response priorities (safety, containment, recovery)

• Decision-making process

• Documentation requirements

Afternoon Session (1330-1700)

Module 4: Oil Properties, Behavior and Fate

• Types of oil (crude oil, refined products, heavy fuel oil)

• Physical and chemical properties of oil

• Weathering processes:

  • Spreading and drift

  • Evaporation

  • Dispersion (natural and chemical)

  • Emulsification (“chocolate mousse”)

  • Sedimentation and sinking

  • Biodegradation

  • Photo-oxidation

• Factors affecting oil behavior (weather, sea state, temperature)

• Oil persistence and long-term fate

Practical Demonstration 1: Physical Properties of Oil

• Viscosity demonstrations

• Specific gravity tests

• Pour point and flash point explanations

• Weathering simulation exercises

• Oil identification techniques

Day 2: Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment

Morning Session (0900-1230)

Module 5: Health and Safety for First Responders

• Hazards associated with oil spill response:

  • Hydrocarbon exposure (acute and chronic effects)

  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

  • Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) risk

  • Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX)

  • Physical hazards (slips, trips, falls)

  • Heat stress and cold exposure

  • Fatigue management

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Level A, B, C, D protection levels

  • Chemical-resistant clothing and gloves

  • Respiratory protection (air-purifying vs. supplied-air)

  • Eye and face protection

  • Protective footwear

  • PPE selection based on risk assessment

• Safety procedures:

  • Buddy system and communication

  • Entry and exit protocols

  • Decontamination procedures

  • Emergency response and evacuation

  • Medical surveillance

• Occupational hygiene:

  • Air monitoring for VOCs

  • Personal exposure monitoring

  • Work/rest cycles

  • Hygiene practices in contaminated areas

Practical Exercise 1: PPE Donning and Doffing

• Hands-on PPE selection exercise

• Proper donning procedures

• Working in PPE limitations

• Safe doffing and decontamination

• Equipment inspection and maintenance

Afternoon Session (1330-1700)

Module 6: Environmental Sensitivity and Impact Assessment

• Types of shorelines and habitats

• Sensitive areas:

  • Wetlands and marshes

  • Mangroves

  • Coral reefs

  • Seabird colonies

  • Marine mammal habitats

  • Fish spawning areas

  • Shellfish beds

  • Protected areas and marine parks

• Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps

• Impact on wildlife (birds, marine mammals, fish, invertebrates)

• Socio-economic impacts (fisheries, tourism, aquaculture)

• Toxicity of oil to marine organisms

• Long-term ecological effects

• Environmental monitoring during spills

Module 7: Spill Assessment and Initial Response

• Alert and notification procedures

• Initial situation assessment

• Spill source identification

• Volume estimation techniques

• Trajectory prediction and modeling

• Weather and sea conditions evaluation

• Resource at risk identification

• Priority setting for protection

• Mobilization of response resources

Workshop Exercise: Spill Assessment Scenario

• Team-based spill assessment exercise

• Information gathering and analysis

• Completion of initial assessment forms

• Presentation of findings and recommendations

Day 3: Response Strategies and Equipment

Morning Session (0900-1230)

Module 8: Response Strategy Selection

• Response strategy options:

  • Mechanical recovery (primary method)

  • Dispersant application (chemical treatment)

  • In-situ burning (controlled combustion)

  • Shoreline protection and cleanup

  • Natural attenuation (monitored natural recovery)

  • Combination strategies

• Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA)

• Operational constraints and limitations

• Weather windows and sea state considerations

• Regulatory approval requirements

• Strategic decision-making process

Module 9: Containment and Recovery Equipment - Part 1

• Boom systems:

  • Types of booms (fence boom, curtain boom, sorbent boom)

  • Boom materials and specifications

  • Boom configurations (U-shape, J-shape, chevron)

  • Boom deployment techniques

  • Anchoring and mooring systems

  • Boom maintenance and storage

  • Boom failures and troubleshooting

• Skimmer systems:

  • Weir skimmers

  • Oleophilic skimmers (disc, drum, brush, rope mop)

  • Suction skimmers

  • Advancing skimmers

  • Skimmer selection criteria

  • Skimmer operation and optimization

  • Recovery rate calculations

Afternoon Session (1330-1700)

Module 10: Containment and Recovery Equipment - Part 2

• Sorbent materials:

  • Natural organic sorbents

  • Synthetic sorbents

  • Inorganic sorbents

  • Sorbent application methods

  • Sorbent collection and disposal

• Storage and transfer equipment:

  • Temporary storage systems

  • Pumps (diaphragm, centrifugal, vacuum)

  • Hoses and connections

  • Tank trucks and barges

• Auxiliary equipment:

  • Work boats and support vessels

  • Hydraulic power packs

  • Lighting systems

  • Communication equipment

Practical Exercise 2: Equipment Familiarization

• Hands-on inspection of boom types

• Skimmer operation demonstrations

• Sorbent material testing

• Pump operation practice

• Equipment assembly and disassembly

• Safety checks and pre-deployment inspection

Day 4: Operational Response and Incident Management

Morning Session (0900-1230)

Module 11: Incident Management Systems

• Incident Command System (ICS) structure:

  • Command staff roles

  • Operations section

  • Planning section

  • Logistics section

  • Finance/Administration section

• Unity of command principles

• Span of control

• Chain of command and communication

• Common terminology

• Operational periods and briefings

• Incident Action Plan (IAP) development

• Documentation and record-keeping

Module 12: Operational Planning for First Responders

• Site safety plan essentials

• Work assignment and task briefing

• Resource tracking and accountability

• Operational priorities and tactics

• Safety briefings and toolbox talks

• Communication protocols (radio procedures)

• Shift handover procedures

• Quality control and supervision

Afternoon Session (1330-1700)

Module 13: At-Sea Recovery Operations

• Vessel operations and positioning

• Boom deployment from vessels

• Towing strategies for boom and skimmer systems

• Recovery operations in various sea states

• On-deck oil handling and storage

• Vessel traffic coordination

• Night operations considerations

• Weather monitoring and response suspension criteria

Module 14: Dispersant Application

• Dispersant chemistry and effectiveness

• Application methods (aerial, vessel-based)

• Dispersant selection and approval

• Monitoring dispersant effectiveness

• Environmental considerations

• Window of opportunity for dispersant use

• Safety precautions during application

• Regulatory requirements and guidelines

Practical Exercise 3: Boom Deployment Exercise

• Shore-based boom deployment

• Anchor system setup

• Boom connection techniques

• Positioning and adjustment

• Recovery procedures

• Troubleshooting common problems

Day 5: Shoreline Response and Final Exercises

Morning Session (0900-1230)

Module 15: Shoreline Protection and Cleanup

• Shoreline protection strategies:

  • Boom deflection and exclusion

  • Beach berms and sand barriers

  • Inlet protection

  • Sensitive site prioritization

• Shoreline cleanup techniques:

  • Manual removal (raking, shoveling, picking)

  • Mechanical removal (backhoes, vacuum trucks)

  • Flushing and flooding

  • Sediment relocation and tilling

  • Natural recovery (leaving in place)

  • Bioremediation and nutrient enhancement

• Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT):

  • Oiling assessment methods

  • Cleanup endpoint determination

  • Documentation and mapping

  • Treatment recommendation process

Module 16: Waste Management

• Waste classification and characterization

• Waste stream segregation (oily waste, contaminated materials, PPE)

• Temporary storage requirements

• Volume reduction techniques

• Treatment options:

  • Solidification and stabilization

  • Incineration

  • Landfill disposal

  • Recycling and reuse

• Regulatory compliance for waste management

• Documentation and manifesting

• Long-term disposal planning

Afternoon Session (1330-1700)

Module 17: Communications and Stakeholder Management

• Communication chain and reporting requirements

• Media relations basics for first responders

• Public information protocols

• Community engagement considerations

• Working with volunteers

• Coordination with contractors

• Interface with wildlife responders

• Cultural and social sensitivity

Module 18: Post-Response Activities

• Demobilization procedures

• Equipment cleaning and decontamination

• Equipment maintenance and storage

• Post-incident debriefing

• Lessons learned documentation

• Claims documentation and evidence collection

• Personal health monitoring post-response

Comprehensive Practical Exercise 4: Full-Scale Simulation

Scenario-Based Tabletop and Field Exercise

• Realistic oil spill scenario presentation

• Team mobilization and deployment

• Boom and skimmer setup (if facilities available)

• Simulated recovery operations

• Safety management in practice

• Communication and coordination exercise

• Problem-solving under time pressure

• Facilitator observation and evaluation

Module 19: Course Review and Assessment

• Key learning points summary

• Q&A session covering all modules

• Written examination (multiple choice and short answer)

• Practical skills assessment

• Course evaluation and feedback

• Certificate presentation

• Closing remarks and networking

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this IMO OPRC Level 1 First Responders course, participants will be able to:

✅ Understand international conventions and national regulations governing oil spill response
✅ Describe the properties, behavior, and fate of spilled oil in marine environments
✅ Identify and assess health and safety hazards associated with oil spill response
✅ Select and properly use personal protective equipment for various response activities
✅ Evaluate environmental sensitivity and potential impacts of oil spills
✅ Conduct initial spill assessment and communicate findings effectively
✅ Select appropriate response strategies based on spill characteristics and conditions
✅ Deploy and operate containment booms, skimmers, and recovery equipment
✅ Participate effectively in incident command system operations
✅ Execute at-sea and shoreline cleanup operations safely and efficiently
✅ Implement proper waste management and disposal procedures
✅ Maintain accurate records and documentation during response operations