Changwon Coast Guard Conducts Oil Spill Response Drill at Beach... Systematic Area-by-Area Containment

On the 30th, the Changwon Maritime Police Station in Gyeongnam conducted a joint civil-government coastal oil spill response drill at Gwangam Beach.

According to Changwon Maritime Police, the drill was conducted assuming a social disaster situation in which heavy oil spilled from a ship accident was massively discharged onto the coastline.

Participants of the 2024 Civil-Government Joint Coastal Defense Training are taking a commemorative photo at Gwangam Beach in Changwon.
[Photo by Changwon Maritime Police Station]

The drill involved over 90 participants from 18 organizations, groups, and companies, including Kim Young-cheol, the chief of the Changwon Maritime Police Station, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, local governments, private companies, the Marine Volunteer Oil Spill Response Team composed of members of the fishing village association, and volunteers.

Coastal response equipment such as high-pressure and low-pressure washers, beach cleaners, and excavators were also deployed.

Participants were divided into three zones?sand, artificial structures, and rocky cliffs?based on the contamination area survey results from the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) team, and proceeded with the response efforts.

They mobilized equipment and materials suitable for each zone’s response and operated the response equipment as if it were a real situation.

Kim Young-chul, Chief of Changwon Coast Guard, is giving a message to the participants of the 2024 Civil-Government Joint Coastal Defense Training.
[Photo by Changwon Coast Guard]

Changwon Maritime Police explained that this drill was promoted as an experiential and educational training to enhance the coastal oil spill response capabilities of local governments, which are the responsible agencies for coastal response in marine pollution accidents involving oil spills on the coastline.

As part of a social contribution project for retired public officials, former maritime police officers participated as specialized consultants in coastal oil spill response technology, passing on expert knowledge and technical skills.

Kim Jong-ho, head of the Marine Pollution Response Division, emphasized the importance of accident response capabilities, stating, “Large-scale coastal pollution incidents that cause long-term damage to fishermen’s livelihoods and coastal ecosystems can occur at any time.”

He added, “We will continue to strengthen the cooperative response system among related agencies during normal times and strive to protect a clean and safe sea through realistic drills.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.