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Prevention

Prevention is the first line of defense in the Navy’s Oil Spill Response Program. Preventive measures can take the form of reduction at the source, utilization of innovative technologies, and awareness training of personnel on methods for preventing spills. Although the Navy is prepared to respond in the event of an incident, the Navy's goal is to have a successful Prevention Program thereby reducing the number of spills and responses. USNS TAO departing San Diego, CA.
The major building blocks of the Navy’s Prevention Program include Policy, Instructions, and Vigilance.

Policy

The Navy amplifies and builds on environmental policy that is formulated and issued by the Department of Defense (DOD).

Instructions

The Navy implements DOD and Navy policy through Navy instructions. The instruction that forms the basis of the Environmental and Natural Resources Program is OPNAVINST 5090.1B. Chapter 10 of this instruction is Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Planning.

Oil and Water Separator

Vigilance

Statistics show a high percentage of spills are caused by human error. The Navy has implemented several initiatives to decrease the role of the human factor in the causes of oil spills. From developing mechanical solutions to implementing procedural changes, organizations throughout the Navy are actively working to reduce the number of Navy spills resulting from human error.

Left: As part of the Navy’s Oil Spill Prevention efforts, this Oil Water Separator was installed aboard the USS Wasp.

Related Links:

The validity of the information revealed by the following links from this site is not guaranteed by SUPSALV.

Navy Sites

  • Navy SEIC Oily Waste Page - This page was developed by the Navy Shipboard Environmental Information Clearinghouse and includes information on prevention and oil spill abatement programs for Navy vessels.
  • NFESC Prevention Programs - The Navy Facilities Engineering Support Center (NFESC) has assembled this list of links to prevention resources for Navy facilities.
  • SPCC Guidance - In the spirit of planning for prevention, NFESC developed this online guidance manual for developing a spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures plan.
  • NAVSUP Instruction 5090.1b, Attachment A - The Naval Supply Systems Command has developed guidance for developing a facility response plan.

Vigilance in the effort to prevent oil spills is not specific to the Navy. Other organizations are also working to use spill prevention as our best defense against environmental damage.

DOD Sites

Non-DOD Sites

  • USCG Prevention through People - PTP is an approach to marine safety and environmental protection that systematically addresses the root cause of most accidents - the human element.
  • Spill Prevention Factsheet - U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) provides services and oversight of commercial mariners to ensure safe commerce and environmental protection. Legislation, regulation, coordinated field efforts to implement requirements, and education of the maritime public help prevent spills and other maritime accidents.

EPA

  • Oil Spill Program - U.S. EPA's program for preventing, preparing for, and responding to oil spills that occur in and around inland waters of the United States.
  • Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO) - EPA's CEPPO provides leadership, advocacy, and assistance to: 1) Prevent and prepare for chemical emergencies; 2) Respond to environmental crises; and 3) Inform the public about chemical hazards in their community.

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The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of the Navy and the Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy and the Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD web site.