SPILL SURVEILLANCE. For the surveillance of spill movement and behaviour, priority shall be given to aerial surveillance, although any other suitable means (ships, vessels) might also be used if aircraft are not immediately available. Whenever appropriate the Parties shall also consider using satellite Earth Observation methods for the surveillance of spill movement. The surveillance of the spill and its movement, and the transmission of relevant reports to the other Parties, prior to the activation of the Plan, is the responsibility of the Party in whose area of responsibility or area of interest the pollution incident has occurred. Following the activation of the Plan, this responsibility rests with the SOSC, who shall take all necessary measures to ensure regular surveillance of the spill and its movement and behaviour, in order to properly assess the situation and to decide on adequate response measures. For this purpose, the SOSC may request assistance from the other Parties. Information concerning aircraft suitable for spill surveillance (including technical characteristics and specialized equipment), to which each Party has access, is given in Annex 4. Reporting procedures, which shall be followed for the purpose of the Plan by the observers/pilots/crews of surveillance aircraft, are given in Annex 6.
