As part of the 2017 Pacific Partnership programme (PP17), an oil spill response practice recently took place on a section of Da Nang’s Han River, between the intersection of Nhu Nguyet and Do Xuan Cat streets, and the Naval Flotilla No 2’s Pier.

The participating US naval officers preparing for the practice

This drill was attended by representatives from the Central Region Oil Spill Response Centre, the US Navy and its PP17 partners, plus local naval, military, police and border guard forces, and other relevant agencies.

In a hypothetical situation, an oil tanker operating on the Han River crashed into a trip boat which was travelling in the opposite direction.  The unexpected incident caused an oil spill and forced many passengers on board to jump into the river and strive to swim ashore.  In particular, 2 passengers were at a high risk of drowning because they did not wear life jackets.

The oil tanker and the trip boat were about to collide with each other

Shortly after, members from the city’s Border Guard High Command and the US Navy were sent to the scene to efficiently perform rescue missions and ensure security there.  First aid and detoxification was given to troubled passengers.

Officers and men from the city’s Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department and the US naval forces together approached the distressed tanker, put the oil spill under control and removed all the spilt oil from the river surface with specialised equipment in a bid to prevent oil from spreading along the shoreline.

US naval officers and Vietnamese doctors jointly giving first-aid to an injured passenger

Furthermore, effective fire and explosion prevention activities were carried out at the scene.  Besides, the local border guard force also asked the maritime police to announce the incident and prevent nearby ships from moving into the oil spill area.

According to the incident management board, the about 2-hour oil spill response and rescue practice was conducted carefully, and most notably, the absolute safety of all the participants was ensured.  The exercise helped the participants control such an incident in a synchronised and effective way, thereby helping to minimise the number of casualties, the negative impacts to the environment and any property damage caused by possible oil spills.

Collecting the spilt oil along the shore

Addressing at the practice, Municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh said that, since 2007, 9 oil spills have been reported in the city, the worst of which occurred in 2008.

In order to help relevant local forces enhance their ability to handle oil spills in an effective manner, the city authorities organise oil spill response practices every year.

Officers and men from the city-based military forces on duty

The city leader remarked that, with the enthusiastic participation of the US Navy and its PP17 partners, this year’s drill offered a good opportunity for the city to boost its international cooperation in dealing with oil spills, and learn more about the latest techniques and methods in responding to such incidents.