Generic, broad-brushed Oil Spill Contingency Plans (OSCP) have given way to more operationally-focused and systematic, site-specific plans. These newer plans offer considerable advantage as planning and response tools to initiate and support the deployment of equipment on-site.

However, significant logistical features are still often overlooked in the planning process, which both exercises and real incidents have demonstrated. These omissions can seriously impede rapid and effective responses.

This paper reviews the logistical issues of various recent incidents and demonstrates the key features that should be considered at the contingency planning stage. Options for drop-in elements in an oil spill contingency plan, or a separate logistics plan, are also presented.

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Author notes

1 DISCLAIMER: The opinions and views expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of any other party.