Maritime hydrocarbon pollution: Intervention

The possibility of oil spills is of great concern to Canada because of the large quantities of petroleum that are shipped along its long coastline, the economic importance of fishing and other industries that could be affected by an oil spill, and the severity of climatic conditions in Canadian waters. Measures implemented to handle oil spill emergencies include relevant provisions in the merchant marine laws, establishment of a compensation fund for oil spill cleanup and damage, and provision of oil spill-related services by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), whose activities in this regard are summarized. The CCG has a fleet of 119 ships, 4 hydrofoils, 35 helicopters, and various small craft as well as oil spill pollution cleanup equipment worth $35 million stationed at 55 locations across Canada and staff specialists in oil spill emergencies. The CCG is responsible for enforcing the merchant marine law and has created a service for intervening in maritime emergencies. The CCG's equipment includes units for pumping out tankers in an emergency situation, shoreline cleanup devices, skimmers, containment booms, and facilities for adding dispersants to spills. A description of the behavior of hydrocarbons in an oil spill at sea is also included. 26 figs