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Department of Primary Industries, Parks,

Water and Environment

First Strike Plan for the Upper D’Entrecasteaux

Channel, NW Bay, Mid D’Entrecasteaux Channel and lower Huon River

EPA Coastal Segments 92, 96 & 97

EPA First Strike Response Plan Segments 92, 96 & 97 of 32

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & the Environment

CONTENTS

i. Authorisation ……………………………………………………………...4

ii. Document control ………………………………………………………...4

iii. Distribution ………………………………………………………………..4

iv. Revision/Amendments …………………………………………………..5

1. Context

1.1 Purpose ……………………………………………………………6

1.2 Objectives …………………………………………………………6

1.3 Authority & Responsibility ……………………………………….6

1.4 Plan Activation ……………………………………………………6

2. Plan Scope

2.1 Area of operations of the Plan ………………………………….6

2.2 Who responds? …………………………………………………..6

3. Preparedness

3.1 Incident Control structure …………………………………….….7

3.2 Risk Identification

3.2.1 Location of Sensitive Resources ………………….….…7

3.2.2 Potential Spill Sources ……………………………….…..7

3.3 Probable fate of spilled oil ……………………………………..…9 3.3.1 Factors affecting…………………………………………...9

3.3.2 Spilled products……………………………………..……..9

4. Spill Response Strategies ………………………………………………10

4.1 Response Strategies……………………………………………..10

4.2 Communications …………………………………………………11



5. Response Operations ………………………………………………….….11

5.1 Initial Response Priorities……….. ………………………..….…..11

5.2 Determining Protection Priorities...………………………….……11

5.3 Response Implementation…………………………………….…..13

5.3.1 Source Booming ……………………………………….…..14

5.3.2 Exclusion & Deflection Booming …….…………………...15

5.3.3 Product Removal ……………………………………...…...16

5.3.4 Vessel prop wash flushing………………………………...17

5.3.5 Concurrent Operations …………………………………....17

5.4 Equipment available …………………………………………….…17

5.5 Support ……………………………………...……………………...17

6. Post - First Strike requirements

6.1 Response Escalation – Handover ………………………………18

6.2 Termination …………………………………………..…………....18

6.3 Incident Review …………………………………………………...18

APPENDICES

A. Map 1 of Coastal Segments - Response Area…. …………………….19

Map 2,3,4 of Sensitive Resources per Segment..……………………..20

B. Port Waters… ……………………………………………………………..23

C. First Strike Response Options.…………………………………………..24

D. Equipment lists…………………………………………………………….31

E. Contacts list……………………………………………………………......32

TABLES

1….page 8 5….page 15 9…..page 31

2….page 12 6….page 25 10…page 31

3….page 12 7….page 27 11…page 32

4….page 13 8….page 29



i. Authorisation

This plan has been endorsed by the State Marine Pollution Committee as per the committee functions outlined in section 35(5)b of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987.

ii. Document control

A printed version of this document is an Uncontrolled document and may not be an up to date version.

This document is available in electronic format on the EPA website

http://epa.tas.gov.au/

iii. Distribution

No. Issued to Organisation Position Date



iv. Revisions/Amendments

The following revisions/amendments have been applied to this Plan.

No. Detail Date

1 Approved by State Marine Pollution Committee (SMPC) 21NOV17

Proposals to amend or revise this plan should be forwarded to –

Executive Officer

State Marine Pollution Committee

DPIPWE

GPO Box 1751

Hobart TAS 7001



1. Context

1.1 Purpose

This Plan is an appendix to the Tasmanian Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan (TASPLAN).

The Plan is to be utilised when a marine oil spill occurs in waters within the defined area of this Plan, or from a spill in adjacent waters, where an impact may occur in this Plan’s defined area.

A marine oil spill is defined, for the purposes of this Plan, as an actual spill, or the potential spill, of oil or derivatives.

1.2 Objectives

The aim of this Plan is to provide the Responders to an oil spill incident, with information that will enable them to respond using the most appropriate response option, to the areas of highest sensitivity and risk.

This Plan is NOT designed to provide exclusive or overly prescriptive response actions. The suggested response options are based upon scenarios that are deemed more common in the response area, and to the potential types of spilled product, generally encountered in these areas.

1.3 Authority and Responsibility

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the designated Jurisdictional Authority.

The EPA and Tasports are designated Control agencies.

1.4 Plan Activation

This Plan is a First Strike plan, and is to be used as the initial response plan, in the event of a spill, in or potentially effecting, the defined area of operation.

A Deed of Agreement exists between the Crown and Tasports, which directs Tasports to provide first strike response capability, in all Port Waters as defined in Appendix B.

2. Plan Scope

2.1 Area of Operation

The area that this Plan applies to is indicated at map 1 at Appendix A.

2.2 Who responds?

The initial response to a marine oil spill within the waters designated within this plan is as follows: Designated port waters – Tasports will respond to all vessel spills except where a recreational vessel is concerned. Where doubt exists whether a vessel is recreational or not, then a direction from the State Marine Pollution Controller will direct a response Agency.

All other State waters (generally out to 3nm) – EPA.



3. Preparedness

3.1 Incident Control structure

The initial control of a response to a marine oil spill is the responsibility of a designated Incident Controller. The Incident Controller is appointed by the Control Agency (combat agency).

In Tasmania the Control Agency is TasPorts within Port limits and for other areas at the request of the Jurisdictional Authority.

The EPA is the designated Jurisdictional Authority and in certain conditions can act as the Control Agency.

In the event of an escalation beyond First Strike, the Response Escalation requirements will come into effect (see Section 6.1).

3.2 Risk Identification

3.2.1 Location of Sensitive Resources

The attached map 2, 3 and 4 at Appendix A indicates the location of the sensitive resources and what the risk rating to that resource is.

3.2.2 Potential Spill Sources

The locations with the potential highest risk of spills are listed below in table 1.

The Margate/Electrona marina precinct has several wharves, slipways and marinas where construction and repair work is undertaken on vessels, and this provides a potential for spills of products from tanks or vessel spaces under repair. Re-fuelling operations are also undertaken in this area, particularly on fishing vessels at the marina and seafood wharf.

The Bruny Island ferry that runs between Kettering and Barnes Bay carries substantial amounts of diesel fuel. There is a likelihood of a potential diesel spill during bunkering operations.

There is a significant marina facility at Oyster Cove near Kettering which berths large numbers of recreational and commercial vessels. There are several slipways where the potential for spills to occur from works is elevated, and refuelling operations of moored vessels will be a regularly undertaking, with larger volumes bunkered on commercial fishing vessels.

Both Huon Aquaculture and Tassal have numerous vessels operating and moored in this Huon River & D’Entrecasteaux Channel regions, and thus there is the potential of smaller spills in open water, of diesel, ULP and hydraulic oil, during bunkering or refuelling operations.

The Huon Aquaculture berth, at the Gunpowder wharf at Tinderbox, refuels small vessels and equipment at the wharf.

The Huon Aquaculture base at Surveyors Bay has bunded fuel tanks ashore and they refuel many smaller vessels with ULP and diesel on a daily basis.

Huon Aquaculture has larger vessels that refuel on the water and at the Kettering marina. They also have a large fish-farm vessel(s) operating in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon River and Storm Bay areas, which bunkers at the Port Huon wharf.



Tassal operate vessel re-fuelling operations at Electrona wharf, Killala Bay wharf, (south of Surges Bay), and at Dover at the Meads Bay facility. They will all potentially produce smaller spills of ULP or Diesel from re-fuelling operations on smaller vessels. With moored vessels, there is the potential for smaller spills through bilge discharges, particularly with significant rain events.

Another source of spills is from stormwater drains with road run-off.

An accident between two or more vessels, and single vessel accidents where a collision or grounding occurs, has the potential to breach fuel/oil tanks, and create a spill. Volumes would normally be of a smaller scale, but the larger the vessel, the larger the potential spill volume. The products would likely be ULP or Diesel.

Table 1 Identified potential spill sources

Ref#

Risk Product Likely volumes(l)

1 Gunpowder wharf, Tinderbox (Huon Aquaculture)

Diesel/ULP 1-100

2 Margate Slipway and Seafood marina

Diesel/ULP 1-500

3 Margate Marina Diesel/ULP 1-100

4 Electrona wharf Diesel/ULP 1-500

5 Oyster Cove Marina

Kettering

Diesel/ULP 1-500

6 Bruny Island Ferry

Diesel 1-1000

7 Port Cygnet

Moored vessels

Diesel 1-50

8 Huon Aquaculture base Surveyors Bay Diesel

ULP

1-1000

1-100

9 Tassal Killala Bay wharf

Surges Bay

Diesel/ULP 1-100

10 Huon Aquaculture and Tassal operations in open water

Diesel

ULP

Hydraulic oil

1-1000

1-100

1-1000

11 Moored vessels

Diesel/ULP 1-50

12 Vessel incidents (groundings or collisions)

Diesel/ULP 1-2000



3.3 Probable Fate of Spilled Oil

3.3.1 Factors affecting

Spilled oil will travel in a direction on water, that is driven by the full effect of the current (100% current speed) and about 3% of the wind speed. The final direction will be a combination of these effects.

In the region of North West Bay the floating oil will be primarily driven by the tidal flow at speeds of generally less than 0.5 knot. The wind will have a more pronounced effect once wind speeds exceed 15 knots.

In the Upper D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the general flow is northward into the Derwent estuary, with some local tidal effect in bays and inlets.

In the Lower D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the flow is from the Huon River northward, with maximum speeds of 1 knot observed in the Gordon area.

The Huon River itself flows primarily downstream toward the southeast. The river flow will generally over-ride the flood tide, except in areas of shallower water in bays and estuaries, and on the inside of bends in the river, where tidal currents seldom exceed 0.5 knot.

In the event of large rainfall events up-river, the Huon River fresh water flow downstream can be greater than under “normal” conditions.

3.3.2 Spilled Products

Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) – will generally float in all conditions, with emulsification occurring after 48 hours. Very little evaporation or dissolution will occur. HFO is unlikely to be encountered in these areas.

Diesel – the majority will float, with a small percentage dissolving into the upper layers of the water column. Diesel will tend to evaporate in 24-72 hours depending on air and water temperatures, and the amount of sunlight and wind action it is exposed to.

Premium Unleaded Petrol (PULP) – will rapidly evaporate with some dissolution. Normally it evaporates within 4-8 hours. It can produce flammable atmospheres in high concentrations in sheltered areas.

Unleaded Petrol (ULP) - will rapidly evaporate with very little dissolution. Normally it evaporates within 4-8 hours. It can produce flammable atmospheres in high concentrations in sheltered areas.

Hydraulic oil – tends to be more persistent, although it is less toxic and with little to no volatiles.



All products, in concentrated amounts, can produce flammable (flash point of < 60oC) and dangerous atmospheres, and should be approached with caution.

Operations in spills of ULP, PULP, Avgas, and Jet A1, should only occur once the atmosphere is tested by a qualified operator, for Lower and Upper Explosive Limits and Safe Oxygen levels. Expert advice is to be sought from the Tasmania Fire Service - Hazmat.

HFO/IFO, diesel, hydraulic oil and weathered lighter product spills may produce flammable atmospheres, but it is less likely, unless concentrated in confined spaces, noting that the vapours can still exclude oxygen.

The effect of the wind will dissipate these atmospheres. Work from up-wind when these situations occur.

It is highly unlikely that booming operations will ever be undertaken to contain freshly spilled PULP or ULP. Booms can be utilised to protect or deflect these products away from sensitive resources, well downstream of the spill, ensuring that there are NO flammable vapours anywhere near the area in which booming is being undertaken. The Light Ends of these products tend to evaporate rapidly once spilt.

* Australian Dangerous Goods Code 2015

4. Spill Response Strategies

It is the intent to capture and remove the oil from the surface of the water, as soon as possible. This reduces the possibility of direct contact; dissolution and dispersion into the water column; and reduces the potential effects on flora and fauna, infrastructure and amenity.

4.1 Response Strategies

The response strategies available to responders, are as listed below, but explained in more detail in The Tasmanian Marine Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan section 4.1.

Monitor and Evaluate Contain & Recover – sweeping operations (5.3.1) Protect & Deflect – exclusion or deflection booming (5.3.2) Vessel propeller wash flushing (5.3.4) Shoreline Clean-up Waste Management Wildlife Response



4.2 Communications

An initial report of an oil spill is to be made to the EPA’s hotline on 1800 005 171.

This information is responded to by the State Oil Pollution Control Officer (SOPCO) who will notify the State Marine Pollution Controller, who maintains overall control of the spill.

5. Response Operations

A response to a marine oil spill is affected by numerous factors, including the type of product spilled, the amount spilled, the prevailing and predicted weather, the response resources available to the responders, and the ability to protect the area.

5.1 Initial Response Priorities

The initial priorities for any spill event, in order of action, are -

Determine what the product is. Determine location of spill source. Determine whether the product is still leaking. Determine the direction of movement of the oil. Determine the volume of the spill if possible. Determine local tide times and thus predicted tidal flow direction/speed. Determine local wind speed and direction Identify nearest sensitivities at risk. Determine areas to be protected. Undertake notifications as required.

5.2 Determining Protection Priorities

The following table lists the identified sensitivities at risk within this Plan’s segments, with their sensitivity rating recorded against each of them.

Responders need to be aware that there are potentially small inlets, creeks, streams and other waterways within this Plans areas, and are not included in Tables 2, 3 & 4, that may be able to be protected (eg; North West Bay River).

If more than one sensitivity in tables 2, 3 & 4 is under threat from a marine oil spill concurrently, then the sensitivity with the highest risk rating should normally be considered for the initial protection action. If there is more than one sensitivity with the same risk rating, then the first to be potentially impacted is to be normally protected first.



Table 2 Segment 92 Sensitivities

Ref# Location (North to South) Tidal Zone Risk Rating

1 Tinderbox Marine Protected Area Inter-tidal

Sub-tidal

High

2 Endangered Spotted Hand fish areas – between Howden and Barretta in NW Bay, & around Dennes Pt. on Bruny Island.

Sub-tidal Very High

3 Finfish aquaculture – Morwong St Tinderbox, Electrona, SW Tinderbox, Snug Point, Simmonds Point, Lennon Rd Bruny Is, and Sykes Cove Bruny Island.

Sub-tidal

Structures are Supra-tidal

Very High

4 Putalina Indigenous Protected Area Oyster Cove

Inter-tidal

Supra-tidal

Very High

5 Oyster Cove Wetlands

Inter-tidal High

6 Roberts Point Marine Conservation Area Bruny Island

Inter-tidal

Sub-tidal

High


Ref# Location (North to South) Tidal zone Risk Rating

1 Finfish aquaculture – Simpsons Point, Satellite Island, and Huon Point. In addition there are mobile pens of fish within the Huon Estuary and D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

Sub-tidal


High

2 Shellfish aquaculture - Long Bay Shoal, Gordon and Little Taylors Bay, Bruny Island have inter-tidal operations.

Inter – tidal High

3 Simpsons Point MPA Inter-tidal

Sub-tidal

High

4

Gordon - Endangered spotted handfish Sub-tidal Very High

5 Mid Channel MPA Inter-tidal

Sub-tidal

High

6 Ninepin Point MPA Inter-tidal

Sub-tidal

High




Ref# Location (North to South) Tidal zone Risk Rating

1 Finfish aquaculture – In the Huon River from Huon Point north to Brabazon Point there are many floating pens and plant.

Port Esperance (Dover) around Hawkes Point.

Sub-tidal


Very High

2 Shellfish aquaculture – Port Esperance (Dover) around Hawkes Point. Cygnet – Elizabeth Point in Deep Bay and Gardners Bay.

Inter – tidal High

3 Port Cygnet MPA Inter-tidal

Sub-tidal

High

Responders should be aware that there are sensitivities at risk in adjacent segments. In the event of a spill potentially spreading from this Plans’ areas, into another Plans area, then advice should be sought immediately from the State Environmental Scientific Coordinator (ESC), as to the location and type of other sensitivities.

In general terms, sensitivities occurring in the inter-tidal zone will be prioritised for protection. There may be a need to protect resources above the tidal zone, particularly social and economic infrastructure (eg; Putalina Indigenous Protected Area or marine farms), by protecting the marine area surrounding these assets, through exclusion booming.

A sensitivity that is sub-surface, is normally not capable of being protected, once the oil is dissolved or physically dispersed into the water column. To protect sub-surface sensitivities, the removal of floating oil as early as possible, is paramount.

5.3 Response Implementation

Prior to commencing any on-water response to a spill, the priority is to determine what the product is.

ULP and PULP are commonly used as fuels for recreational and small commercial vessels. These are all flammable hydrocarbons with low flash points. In concentrated quantities, flammable atmospheres may be produced, and combustion may occur. Stay up-wind at all times.

These spills should only be approached once the Lower Explosive Limit is tested by qualified operators. (Diesel and HFO may produce flammable atmospheres, but it is less likely).



In addition, there could be exposure risks with some products. Access to Safety Data Sheets is to be obtained when the product is known.

If the product is unknown, the characteristics must be determined, prior to operating in the immediate area of the spill. This may require spill sampling and testing.

Once the location and movement of the oil has been determined, there is a need to ascertain if there is sufficient time to contain the oil, at or near the source of the spill.

5.3.1 Source booming

Our priority is containment. Recovery of the oil is secondary.

The most effective response is to contain the oil at the source.

The containment of ULP or PULP at the source of the spill, is not to be attempted on freshly spilled product, without atmospheric testing being undertaken.

Utilisation of vessels, booms and anchors to encircle or capture the oil where spilt, prevents the spread of oil.

The intent is to start at the down-current/wind extremity of the slick, utilising two vessels with boom between them. The boom should be slowly pulled back toward the source, until such time as it can be joined in a circle arrangement around the source.

If the source is from a larger vessel or ship, then the boom maybe deployed from the bow & stern of the ship rather than encircling it (using the side of the vessel as a barrier to the oil), and anchored off. The same applies if the source is from a drain or pipe, then the boom should be deployed from the shore, either side of the outlet, encircling it, and anchored off.

Once in position, the boom will need to be anchored/secured so that the spill source is contained within the boomed area.

The other opportunity with the same boom and two vessels is to run ahead of the spill, and utilise the boom to capture or slow down the rate of spread. This is called boom sweeping operations.

Caution should be used with vessels speeds when pulling boom with oil in the arc of boom. Any speeds greater than one (1) knot will tend to release oil underneath the boom.

The specific equipment required for this task is listed below. Reference should be made to the equipment list at Appendix D, to ascertain its storage location, and whether more suitable equipment is available.



Table 5 Resources suitable and available in Hobart for this task are:-

Equipment Quantity Owner Availability this area

Anchor kits 15kg 5 EPA

Anchor kits 15kg 5 Tasports

Boom solid buoyancy Structureflex GP

300m Tasports

Boom Self Inflating - Expandi 3000 300m EPA

Vessel 6m catamaran trailerable* 1 EPA 2 hours

Vessel Pilot vessel Paringa* 1 Tasports 2 hours

Vessel Bundalier & Loongana + trailerable workboat*

3 Tasports 2-5 hours

Personnel On call Officer 1 EPA

Personnel 1 Tasports

* Workboats will normally require 1 hour notice to respond with a crew, in or out of hours.

There will be other vessels and personnel available on an ad-hoc basis at different times.

5.3.2 Exclusion and Deflection Booming

Where the opportunity does not exist for containment booming at the source of a spill, then consider the use of booms to protect sensitivities; or use to deflect/direct the oil away from the sensitivities, to another location, where it can be collected.

The use of booms in a chevron arrangement is a useful strategy to protect sensitivities that are surrounded by water. Using sufficient lengths of solid buoyancy/inflatable booms to protect the width of the sensitivity, with the mid-point anchored toward the direction the oil flow is coming from, and the two trailing ends anchored either side of the sensitivity, the oil is deflected to either side of the sensitivity. Diagram 1 Chevron boom protection method



The protection of small individual sensitivities like rivers/streams/inlets that enter into inter-tidal shorelines, may be successful with the use of protection booms to exclude the oil from impacting the sensitivity. The use of shoreline and solid buoyancy/inflatable booms, anchors, lines and a vessel to deploy, to encapsulate the sensitivity, can be effective.

Diagram 2 Exclusion booming method

Another effective booming strategy, is the use of the shoreline and/or solid buoyancy/inflatable booms, run at angles of >110o (with the flow of the prevailing water movement), from a suitable shoreline, to deflect the oil away from the sensitivity. This strategy requires continuous review, as water/oil flow direction can change.

This strategy can be used ahead of the spilled oil, to protect the potential impacted sensitivity, and/or direct the oil to a more sheltered area where product recovery is easier. Also the oil can be directed onto a shoreline, where the effects of the oil on that substrate, has a lower impact (eg; a sandy beach), and is easier to clean up.

5.3.3 Product Removal

Once the oil is contained, the next priority is to remove it from the surface of the water.

The use of sorbent materials is a possibility for very small spills where the product spilt is of a lighter nature (eg; ULP, PULP, Avgas, and Diesel). CAUTION to be exercised around the low flash point products in concentrated amounts.

A skimming system is the best method of removing oil from the surface of the water.

The equipment suitable for this task is –

Weir skimmer Foilex Mini – Tasports Disc skimmer Vikoma Komara Mk2 – EPA



If the spilled oil is contained in a boom offshore, then the use of vessels to deliver and operate the skimming gear at the site of the contained oil is required. Additionally, portable tanks will be required to hold the recovered product.

5.3.4 Vessel propeller wash flushing

The propeller wash from a vessel may be utilised to direct the surface flow of spilled products away from sensitive areas, and/or into boomed areas for collection, by the gentle use of the wash.

DO NOT UTILISE PROP WASH TO AGITATE THE OIL SO THAT IT MIXES INTO THE WATER COLUMN.

5.3.5 Concurrent operations

The above listed response strategies may be undertaken concurrently to reduce the time the oil remains of the surface of the water, dependent on resources available.

5.4 Equipment available

Appendix D contains lists of available equipment in this region for first strike operations.

Additional equipment is available State-wide. Refer to the EPA and Tasports for lists of that equipment.

5.5 Support

EPA and Tasports provide the first strike personnel for the majority of oil spill incidents.

As an incident escalates, additional personnel may be sourced from other State and National resources.

6 Post – First Strike Requirements

6.1 Response Escalation – Handover

With a spill that escalates beyond a level 1 response (that is, a first strike response), additional arrangements need to be put in place to manage the response.

An assessment of the time and resources required to effectively manage the spill, should be made by the first strike responders, as early as possible.



When the decision has been made that the incident is beyond the capability of the First Strike teams to effectively manage, the initial Incident Controller (see Section 3.1) will communicate with the Tasmanian Marine Pollution Controller (Director of the EPA) to arrange the handover of control of the incident.

This communication is to include a documented time of handover; who the responsible parties are; and an update of the incident and the response to it. This should include actions undertaken to date, and what is planned for the next operational period.

The first strike team(s) may continue to support the response to the incident.

6.2 Termination

An incident will normally terminate once the accessible spilled product is removed from the environment, but at times, this will not be possible.

When this is not possible, an agreed position needs to be established, and criteria developed and agreed upon before response operations cease.

6.3 Incident Review

An incident review will be undertaken by the EPA when deemed necessary.

This review will attempt to determine the reasons for the spill, the effectiveness of the response operations, and if necessary develop actions or procedures to enhance future responses.



APPENDICES

A. Map of Coastal Segments 92, 96 & 97 – Response area

Segment 92

The area of response is from a line drawn from Piersons Point to Dennes Point on Bruny Island in the north, to a line drawn from Woodbridge across to Apollo Bay on Bruny Island in the south. Encompasses all waters within, including North West Bay and Barnes Bay.

Segment 96

The area of response is from a line drawn from Middleton Beach across to Simpsons Point on Bruny Island in the north, to a line drawn from Ventenat Point on Bruny Island to Huon Point in the south, and then a line drawn from Huon Point across to Garden Island Point in the northwest. Includes the waters of Little Taylors Bay.

Segment 97

The area of response is from a line drawn from Huon Point across to Garden Island Point in the south, to a line drawn from the northern end of Waterloo Bay across to Brabazon Point in the north. It includes the waters of Port Cygnet.

Map 1 Coastal Segments – Response Area



Map 2 Sensitive resources Segment 92



Map 3 Sensitive Resources Segment 96



Map 4 Sensitive Resources Segment 97



B. Port Waters

Zone C means the waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and all the bays and estuaries opening into the Channel that are enclosed within the following limits: (a) to the south, by an imaginary straight line bearing 223 degrees from the southern end of Partridge Island to Southport Island; (b) to the north, by an imaginary straight line bearing 138 degrees from Pierson Point to Kelly Point.



C. First Strike Response Options

The following potential First Strike Options is guidance for responders, and does not direct any responder to take action in any particular way. The use of local knowledge and actual conditions, will best inform an effective response.

Potential First Strike Option – the listed Options are based on simple booming strategies utilising current equipment stockpiles. The intent is to exclude or deflect oil from the areas at risk. Actions are dependent on favourable winds and currents.

The use of vessel prop wash to move oil from sensitive areas, or to direct the oil on the surface into boomed areas, is an option that can be utilised.

The response strategy - sweeping operations – is an option for all areas, and should be considered in the first instance and as a concurrent operation if resources allow.

Booming from a shoreline, should utilise Shoreline boom on the shoreline (sandy beach preferred) to create the tidal seal. This boom should be connected to the GP or Self Inflating booms, and run at an angle to the shoreline and thus the current flow (the greater the current the greater the angle across the current). The spilled oil can be deflected away (indicated in Diagram 3 below) or directed toward a sandy beach for collection.

All booming operations from a shoreline will require a solid securing arrangement on-shore. The use of trees, solid man-made structures, large rocks and star picket arrangements, is required. 4WD vehicles maybe required to access shorelines.

Anchoring arrangements require suitable numbers and types of anchors for the weather/tide/current conditions, correct anchor line lengths (3-5 x depth of water), and tripping lines.

Diagram 3 Shoreline booming method



Table 6 Segment 92 Sensitivities First Strike Options

Ref Location (North to South) Potential First Strike Options*

1 Tinderbox Marine Protected Area

The use of Shoreline Land/Sea and GP or Self inflating booms, is possible from many areas within the MPA, and should be used to protect foreshores, including inlets and beaches, as oil approaches. There are no tidal streams or inlets requiring protection, although there are several small beaches on the SE side that could be protected in the ideal weather conditions.

The beach at Tinderbox is well utilised socially, and should take priority in this area. The generic strategy of running booms from the shoreline with Shoreline Land/Sea boom joined with GP and/or Self inflating booms, on an angle to the current and wind direction, should be considered in this area.

The entire area is exposed to weather from the NE around to the West particularly, and any operation needs to take into account, actual and predicted weather conditions.

Anchors will be required.

2 Endangered Spotted Hand fish areas – between Howden and Barretta in North West Bay, & off Dennes Pt. on Bruny Island.

Sub-tidal.

These fish are bottom dwellers, thus the impacts should be minimal, although protection booming of the area using the GP or Self inflating booms, to prevent dissolution of PULP and diesel is a strategy that should be considered.

At Dennes Pt, for a southward moving spill, run 200m of GP or Self Inflating boom, from the wharf and running in a NW direction. Anchor this point and run another 200m of GP or Self Inflating boom in a SW direction, and anchor the end. For a northward moving spill, from a position 200m south of the wharf, run 200m of GP or Self Inflating boom in a SW direction, anchor and then run another 200m in NW direction and anchor.

At both Baretta and Dennes Point, mobile sweep booms should be used to protect this area.



3

Finfish aquaculture – Morwong St Tinderbox, Electrona, SW Tinderbox, Snug Point, Simmonds Point, Lennon Rd Bruny Is, and Sykes Cove Bruny Island.

Lennon Rd Bruny Island is adjacent to the Ferry terminal, and thus there is a higher risk of likelihood for a diesel spill from a wharf collision with the ferry.

The finfish aquaculture pens are best protected by utilising the GP or Self Inflating booms, towed between vessels, to capture the spill well prior to the oil impacting the fish pens.

If this is not possible, the use of GP or Self Inflating booms to deflect the oil away from the pens is best served by using the chevron boom deployment method.

If the fish pens are within 200m of the shore, then the use of Shoreline Land/Sea boom plus the GP/Self Inflating boom, run from the shoreline, may be possible.

4 Putalina Indigenous Protected Area Oyster Cove and Oyster Cove Wetlands

If a spill occurs to the south of the Putalina PA, run 20m of Shoreline boom + 300m of GP or Self inflating boom, from the easterly point on Manuka Rd, adjacent to No. 246 Manuka Rd. The boom should be run in an easterly direction, and anchored.

Additional booms in the same configuration can be run in a general NE direction, from the shoreline, heading west on Manuka Rd. Areas adjacent to No. 226 and 183 Manuka Rd would be suitable.

If a spill occurs on the northern side of Oyster Cove, and is heading west, then boom can be run from the wharf/slipway at the end of Benbows Rd. Run 200 - 300m of GP or Self inflating boom, from a point at the northern end of the wharf, in a SSE direction. The boom will require anchoring.

If oil travels further west of the above boom locations, additional exclusion booming may be able to done further west in the Cove. From the shoreline adjacent to 110 Benbows Rd, in a direction SW towards the southern shoreline of Oyster Cove, using 40m of Shoreline boom either end + 300m of GP or Self inflating boom.

Any winds of greater than 15 knots from the East around to the South quadrants, will prove problematic.

As a minimum, the inlets and tidal mudflats at the NW and Western sides of the Cove should be protected using the booms mentioned above.

Booms will require anchoring.



6

Roberts Point Marine Protected Area Bruny Island

The shoreline in the Roberts Point MPA can be protected as follows.

Any spill travelling in a south or south westerly direction from north or east of Roberts Point, 400m of GP or Self inflating boom, run from the western side of the ferry wharf, in a north westerly direction.

A spill travelling northward, from the south of Roberts Point, is best protected with sweep booms between vessels. It is unlikely that an impact will occur on the northern side of Roberts Point, but if 20m of Shoreline + 300m of GP or Self inflating boom, run from the western tip of Roberts Point, in a westerly direction, may assist.

If there appears potential to impact on the south side of Roberts Point in Apollo Bay, then 20m of Shoreline + 400m of GP or Self inflating boom , run from the southern tip of Roberts Point, in a Southeast direction, may protect parts of Apollo Bay.




1 Finfish aquaculture – Simpsons Point, Satellite Island, and Huon Point.

In addition there are mobile pens of fish within the Huon Estuary & D’Entrecasteaux Channel.


If this is not possible, the use of GP or Self Inflating booms to deflect the oil away from the pens is best served by using the chevron boom deployment method. A length of 200m of GP or Self inflating boom, anchored at its mid-length, 50m upstream of the fish pen, with the apex toward the spill, and then each end anchored downstream at an angle of 90o to each other, will provide the best protection to the fish pen.




2

Shellfish aquaculture

Long Bay Shoal, Gordon

Little Taylors Bay, Bruny Island

Inter-tidal

The shellfish aquaculture areas are best protected by utilising the GP or Self Inflating booms, towed between vessels, to capture the spill well prior to the oil impacting the shellfish structures.

If this is not possible, the use of GP or Self Inflating booms to deflect the oil away from the structures is best served by using the chevron boom deployment method. A length of 300m of GP or Self inflating boom, anchored at its mid-length, 200m upstream of the structures, with the apex toward the spill, and then each end anchored downstream at an angle of 90o to each other, will provide the best protection to the leases.

If the structures are within 200m of the shore, then the use of Shoreline Land/Sea boom plus the GP/Self Inflating boom, run from the shoreline, may be possible.

3 Gordon - Endangered Spotted Handfish

Sub-tidal.

These fish are bottom dwellers, thus the impacts should be minimal.

Protection booming of the area would not be possible due to its size.

The best protection would be to utilise the GP or Self Inflating booms, towed between vessels, to capture the spill.

Any spill within the following Marine Conservation Areas, is best protected using sweeping operations on-water, or by using Shoreline boom and GP or Self inflating boom, as a protection or deflection boom.

More specific locations and directions are included below.

4 Simpsons Point MPA From Middleton south to Pensioners Bay, deflection booms of 20-40m of Shoreline boom + 300m of GP or Self inflating boom, run in a general southeast direction, will provide protection of adjacent shorelines, if placed between the spill and the shoreline sensitivity. Exact angles to the shoreline will be determined by the current and wind speeds.

McDowall Rivulet and McKay Rivulet near Middleton, Sea Farms Oysters, Grosse Creek and Foreshore Reserve Area at Gordon, are some specific areas that may require protection.




3 Mid Channel MPA As this area is mid-stream, then the only protection strategy available is sweeping operations with two vessels.

4 Ninepin Point MPA From Pensioners Bay south and west to Verona sands, deflection booms of 20-40m of Shoreline boom + 400m of GP or Self inflating boom, run in a general southerly direction, will provide protection of adjacent shorelines, if placed between the spill and the shoreline sensitivity.

Exact angles to the shoreline will be determined by the current and wind speeds.

Verona Sands beach can be protected by utilising 20m of Shoreline boom + 300m of GP or Self Inflating boom from the eastern or western ends of the beach. The booms should be run at angles of about 45o to the beach, toward the centre of the beach.




1 Finfish aquaculture

In the Huon River from Huon Point north to Brabazon Point there are many floating pens and plant.


Sub-tidal


If this is not possible, the use of GP or Self Inflating booms to deflect the oil away from the pens is best served by using the chevron boom deployment method. A length of 200m of GP or Self inflating boom, anchored at its mid-length, 50m upstream of the fish pen, with the apex toward the spill, and then each end anchored downstream at an angle of 90o to each other, will provide the best protection to the fish pen.




2

Shellfish aquaculture


Cygnet – Elizabeth Point in Deep Bay and Gardners Bay.

Inter--tidal

The shellfish aquaculture areas are best protected by utilising the GP or Self Inflating booms, towed between vessels, to capture the spill well prior to the oil impacting the shellfish structures.

If this is not possible, the use of GP or Self Inflating booms to deflect the oil away from the structures is best served by using the chevron boom deployment method. A length of 300m of GP or Self inflating boom, anchored at its mid-length, 200m upstream of the structures, with the apex toward the spill, and then each end anchored downstream at an angle of 90o to each other, will provide the best protection to the leases.

If the structures are within 200m of the shore, then the use of Shoreline Land/Sea boom plus the GP/Self Inflating boom, run from the shoreline, may be possible.

3 Port Cygnet MPA It is possible to close off Port Cygnet bay by using two lengths 20m of Shoreline boom + 300m of GP or Self inflating boom, in two locations. On the western shore, from the boat ramp at Catos Bay on Lymington Rd, across to mid-stream. The second boom should be run from the eastern shore at Crooked Tree Point on Henleys Rd, and anchored mid-stream. The booms should be over-lapped but not joined.

Deflection booms may also be utilised on both sides of the Port area, south of the booming location listed above.

Anchors are required.



D. Equipment lists

The following equipment is available to respond to a spill within this Plan’s segments.

All the listed equipment needs to be transported from Hobart to this region. Road transport will take a minimum of 30 minutes to the northern end of the response area, and up to 2 hours to the southern response areas. Transport by vessel is possible, although road transport from a wharf to spill location is still required.

Distances by vessel to North West Bay is about 15nm and about 40 nm to Cygnet.

Table 9 EPA Store at Mornington

Equipment description Size Quantity

Anchor kits 15kg 5

Boom – Self Inflating – Expandi 3000 850mm (300mm freeboard)

300 metres

Boom – Shoreline – Structureflex Land/Sea 500mm (250mm freeboard)

100m

20m lengths

Skimmer – Disc – Komara 12K Mk2 200kg with powerpack

1

Dispersant spray system – Sea Spray

boom system - modular

1

Table 10 Tasports at Hobart Domain Slipway/Macquarie Wharf #6

Equipment description Size Quantity

Anchor kits

(Domain Slipway)

15kg 5

Boom – GP – Structureflex - solid buoyancy + 2 tow bridles

(Macquarie Wharf #6)

300 metres

15m lengths

Boom – Shoreline – Structureflex Land/Sea

(Domain Slipway)

500mm (250mm freeboard)

60m

20m lengths

Skimmer – Weir – Foilex Mini + spate pump

(Domain Slipway)

30kg skim head

Powerpack 50kg

1

1

Tank – recovered oil – Fast tank

(Domain Slipway)

10,000 litres 2



Table 11 Vessels

Equipment description Size Speed knots

Quantity

EPA Aluminium Tri-Star (on trailer) Mornington 6.5m 1

EPA Aluminium runabout (on trailer) Mornington 4.5m 1

TASPORTS Lines-boat Bundalier Domain slipway

7-8

TASPORTS Security vessel Loongana Domain slipway

15

TASPORTS Pilot vessel Paringa Domain slipway

15m 23 1

TASPORTS Maintenance vessel Macquarie wharf #5 (on trailer)

6m 1

TASPORTS Harbour tugs Watagan, Storm Cove, Godley Domain slipway

12 3

TASPORTS Aluminium punt/barge on trailer. Domain Slipway.

4.5m 25knts 1

To access databases for EPA, Tasports and AMSA owned equipment, contact the On-call Officer at the EPA through the Pollution Hotline.

E. Contacts list

Pollution Hotline 1800 005 171

TasPorts Vessel Tracking Services 03 6380 3013

Tasports Duty Officer 1300 664 007 or 1300 366 742

State Oil Pollution Control Officer 1800 005 171

TAS Fire Service 000

ATOM Selfs Point 0408 004 495

Caltex Selfs Point - Terminal Manager 0411 440 766

Operations Coordinator 0409 392 672

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