API PUBL 46201-1995

FOREWORD

This proceedings represents the 14th biennial International Oil Spill
Conference (IOSC). Since its inception a quarter of a century ago, the
Conference has slowly evolved upward as the political winds of oil
spill interest have waxed and waned. Today, this Confernce stands as
the premiere international technical conference and trade exposition
for the world's oil spill community. In a maturing and more
sophisticated industrialized world, nations of all sizes have
recognized the importance of international environmental stewardship.
Oil spills, though generally of relatively short term, localized
influence, are one more environmental perturbation that can be
minimized and mitigated by man's active intervention. The goals of
this Conference remain much as they were in 1969: "… to delineate
the overall dimensions of the oil spills problem, explore the present
state of the art of prevention and control of oil spills, and review
the relevant research and development efforts of government and
private industry, both here and abroad."

The 1995 Conference takes another step forward to maintain its
position as the premiere international conference on oil spill issues.
To further develop the international cooperation and flow of
information, the long time sponsors–the American Petroleum Institute,
U.S. Coast Guard, and Environmental Protection Agency–are joined this
year by two international organizations. Representing the
international regulatory community is the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), and representing the international petroleum
industry is the International Petroleum Industry Environmental
Conservation Association (IPIECA). With this new partnership, the IOSC
will greatly enhance its international balance of technical
contributions and trade exhibits. More importantly, it will help to
communicate the latest in oil spill information to nations of all
sizes throughout the world. The long term benefits should include
reduced loss of oil to the seas, quicker cleanup, and less
environmental impact due to cleanup practices.

During the past half dozen years, new oil spill management regulations
have been implemented in the United States and internationally.
Although complex and detailed, one primary facet is better preparation
and training of response personnel. Unfortunately, the level of
interest and involvement in oil spill activities in the world
communities is inversely related to the length of time since the last
major, newsworthy oil spill event. For that reason, the theme chosen
for the 1995 Conference is "Achieving and Maintaining Preparedness."
How do we get and stay prepared? The technical papers to be presented,
although covering a broad range of topics, were selected with this
theme in mind.

What is new for the 1995 Conference? Many changes have been made to
continue the process of improving the Conference and to meet the needs
of the attendees. This year, one of our goals was to continue the
improvement of the technical quality of the papers accepted. A
selected group of 45 international reviewers chose 136 papers for this
Proceedings and presentation at the Conference. This was from more
than 490 submitted. Additionally, 126 poster presentations will be
displayed in seven special sessions over a two day period, and are
also included in this Proceedings. A new Abstract Book and a
day-at-a-glance chart has been developed to assist attendees in
selecting the presentations of their choice. Almost 300 vendors of oil
spill related goods and services are participating in the associated
trade show. Two major west coast spill cooperatives are conducting an
on-water demonstration of spill equipment and techniques.

Many other special events are planned. A theme session, highlighted by
a keynote luncheon address by the Rt. Honorable Lord Donaldson of
Lymington, will feature the Braer oil spill in the Shetland Islands.
IMO and IPIECA are hosting a special evening session summarizing a
recent world-wide seminar series they have sponsored. There also will
be a special evening session dealing with Natural Resource Damage
Assessment.

Another new feature is the preparation and distribution of three
selected topic "white papers," These reviews will cover major topics
of interest and will be formatted to provide detailed discussions and
information on relevant issues. Corresponding panels of experts have
been invited to discuss and debate the issues raised in these white
papers.

A sponsors' scholarship program has been instituted to support
students and other interested parties who might contribute to and
participate in the Oil Spill Conference. Most importantly, this
Conference provides a place where the world's experts can meet, visit,
and exchange the latest information.

As can be seen, many changes have been made to ensure that the
Conference continues to improve to meet the needs of the oil spill
community that supports it. In order to continue fulfilling this role,
it is most important that attendees provide feedback on the content
and quality of this Conference.

The sponsors of the 1995 IOSC would like to thank all of the
contributors, reviewers, and others who have made this Proceedings
volume possible. I would also like to acknowledge the considerable
contribution of time by the various members of sponsoring
organizations who have staffed the Steering and Program Committees.
They are the heart and soul of the IOSC. Finally, I would like to
recognize the professional contributions of Courtesy Associates, and
Trade Associates, who have been responsible for the organization and
management of this Conference and the trade show. Their considerable
expertise brings order out of chaos on a biennial basis.