HELCOM Response Group to discuss input to the Baltic Sea Action Plan

Helsinki, 25 November (HELCOM) –The HELCOM Response Group will hold its regular meeting on 30 November – 2 December 2005 in Klaipeda, Lithuania, to discuss measures to improve emergency capacity in the Baltic Sea and strengthening of national, regional and overall capabilities of the coastal countries to respond to oil spillages.

One of the main focuses of this Meeting will be on the development of the Group's input to the strategic Baltic Sea Action Plan, now being drafted by HELCOM to ensure that all possible steps are taken to improve the state of the Baltic Sea marine environment. Particularly, experts will consider Ecological Objectives and related indicators for the maritime sector in the action plan. The concept of the Baltic Sea Action Plan is based on Ecological Objectives, which are a set of clear environmental indicators materialising the aspirations of a healthy Baltic Sea.

The Meeting is planning to discuss the maritime traffic situation based on the latest national reports and statistical data from the HELCOM Automatic Identification System (AIS) for monitoring shipping in the Baltic. The new system, which was launched 1st July 2005, enables the identification of the name, position, course, speed, draught and cargo of every ship of more than 300 gross tonnes sailing in the Baltic Sea, and displays all available data over a common background map of the region. AIS can be used, inter alia, for coordination in connection with rescue operations at sea, monitoring of oil transports, facilitating oil response operations, estimating arrival times at ports and coordination of ice-breaking activities. Experts are to discuss the amount and qualities of information provided by the AIS system and identify areas where more detailed/additional information should be generated. It is expected that the Meeting will release the 2004 HELCOM report on ship accidents in the Baltic Sea.

The Meeting will also look into the results of recent HELCOM aerial surveillance flights, e.g. CEPCO North and CEPCO South, during which special aircraft from several coastal countries jointly monitor areas with high likelihood of operational oil spills. Experts are to discuss the procedures of the reporting of aerial surveillance detections made in the EEZ and ongoing projects and activities related to the use of satellites for detection of oil slicks. The Meeting will also analyse results of the HELCOM annual international oil spill response exercise BALEX DELTA held 31 August – 1 September, 2005 off Karlskrona, Sweden, and discuss preparations for the next exercise, which will take place in Poland next year.

Representatives of the coastal countries will exchange information on the progress made in establishing their national abilities and organisations for response to pollution at sea and continue discussions on strengthening of the sub-regional capacity cooperation in the response field. The main aim is to ensure sufficient emergency resources in the area to provide adequate emergency towing, fire fighting and lightering capacity to a ship in distress within a reasonable time period, and also enough response resources on a sub-regional basis to handle a “medium size” pollution incident or to control large scale pollution incidents until the assisting forces from the Baltic Sea States arrive on scene.

Contacts

HELCOM Secretariat

Mr. Tadas Navickas
Professional Secretary
Tel: +358 9 62202242
Fax: +358 9 62202239

E-mail:  tadas.navickas@helcom.fi

Mr. Nikolay Vlasov
Information Secretary
Tel: +358 9 62202235
Fax: +358 9 6220 2239

E-mail: nikolay.vlasov@helcom.fi