STRATEGY FOR COMBATING MARINE POLLUTIONS AT SEA Sample Clauses

STRATEGY FOR COMBATING MARINE POLLUTIONS AT SEA. At sea priority is given to mechanical recovery. The use of chemical dispersants could be considered if this method is to be applied outside of the shallow coastal regions and this response should be regarded as the last resort, if no other counter-actions succeed. The attitude to dispersants remains very restrictive. Their use, therefore, is limited to exceptional situations. In the Baltic Sea dispersant spraying is almost prohibited. As a general rule the use of dispersants is not recommended within isobath - 20 m. Recommendations for the use of these products comprise the following general principles: - no dispersants in shallow waters (Wadden Sea) or in locations with limited water exchange (Baltic Sea); - elsewhere, in order to minimise damage risk, the use of dispersants may be justified when the consequences of chemical treatment are considered less serious than the consequences of leaving the oil untreated. An annual exercise and education programme includes all response vessels and their crews. Ten exercise days are scheduled for all response vessels, in order to keep the national preparedness on a high level. Bilateral marine pollution plans have been agreed with the neighbouring countries Denmark and The Netherlands. Similar arrangements exist in the Baltic Sea with Sweden.