SOPEP

Question 1

What is the purpose of SOPEP?

Answer 1

The purpose of either a SOPEP or SMPEP is to provide guidance to the Master and officers on board the Ship with respect to the steps to be taken when an oil or marine pollution incident has occurred or is likely to occur.

Question 2

What should SOPEP contain?

Answer 2

Ship initial procedures in case of an oil spill.

Who to contact regards an oil spill.

Steps to control discharge.

Priority Actions.

Reporting format.

General Responsibilities of the Master designated Officers and Crew.

General Responsibilities.

Appendices:

• Initial Notification
• Coastal State Contacts (Focal Points)
• Port contacts
• Ship interest contacts
• Ship’s Plans and Drawings:
• General Arrangement Plan
• Tank Plan
• Piping Plan.
• Pumping Plan.

Question 3

What action do you take on discovering an oil spill during bunkering operations?

Answer 3

Initiate any emergency stop procedures.

Sound the alarm.

Inform the Master.

Ensure communication with shore personnel or bunker barge and inform them of the emergency.

Take any immediate steps necessary to secure the safety of the ship and personnel.

Ensure that the ships FFA is ready for immediate use.

Deploy SOPEP equipment.

Question 4

Who would have to be informed in the event of an oil spill?

Answer 4

Costal state-
For the ship at sea in order to expedite response and minimise damage from any pollution incident, it is essential that appropriate Coastal States be notified without delay.

Port Contacts-
For the ship in port, notification of local agencies or clean-up companies will speed up response. If any spill occurs during the ship’s stay in port, whether operational or as a result of an incident, the Master should inform the appropriate local agencies

Question 5

What is SMPEP and who is required to carry it?

Answer 5

Any vessel engaged in the carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk, has a SMPEP, Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan. A SMPEP is a combination of the SOPEP and a plan for dealing with the discharge or probable discharge of Noxious Liquid Substances.

Question 6

What are the contents of the SOPEP kit?

Answer 6

Absorbent roll 
Absorbent pads 
Absorbent granules 
Absorbent materials 
Brooms 
Shovels 
Mops 
Scoops 
Empty receptacles (200 ltrs capacity) 
Portable air driven pumps 
Oil boom 
Oil spill dispersants.

Question 7

What procedures must SOPEP include?

Answer 7

The SOPEP/SMPEP will contain procedures for dealing with the following operational incidents....
- Bunker Spills. 
- Pipeline Leakage 
- Tank Overflow 
- Hull Leakage. 
- Spills caused by Equipment in Machinery Spaces 
- Spills Resulting From Casualties 
- Ship Grounded or Stranded 
- Prevention of Fire and Explosion 
- Hull Damage. 
 
The SOPEP/SMPEP also contains......
- Procedures to Reduce or Stop Outflow of Oil or NLS 
- Refloating under own Power. 
- Securing the Ship 
- Fire/ Explosion 
- Collision 
- Hull or Cargo Containment Failure. 
- Excessive List. 
- Dangerous Cargo Reaction. 
- Dangerous Vapour Release. 
- Loss of Tank Environmental Control

Question 8

What should be included in the SOPEP report?

Answer 8

Initial report (Res. A.851(20)) 
Follow-up reports 
Characteristics of material spilled 
Cargo/ ballast/ bunker dispositions 
Weather and sea conditions 
Slick movement 
Assistance required 
Salvage 
Lightening capacity 
Mechanical equipment 
External strike team 
Chemical dispersant/ degreasant