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Dagmar Schmidt Etkin, PhD Environmental Research Consulting

Assessing and Addressing Risks from Potentially-Polluting Shipwrecks: Key Developments since WOW I. Dagmar Schmidt Etkin, PhD Environmental Research Consulting. Wrecks of the World (WOW) II: Evaluating and Addressing Potential Underwater Threats

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Dagmar Schmidt Etkin, PhD Environmental Research Consulting

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  1. Assessing and Addressing Risks from Potentially-Polluting Shipwrecks:Key Developments since WOW I Dagmar Schmidt Etkin, PhD Environmental Research Consulting Wrecks of the World (WOW) II: Evaluating and Addressing Potential Underwater Threats Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) Linthicum, Maryland 6 – 7 June 2011

  2. Potentially Polluting Wrecks = International Issue World of Wrecks - Hidden Risks of the Deep Monde des épaves - risques cachés du profound Welt der Wracke - versteckte Risiken vom Tiefen Κόσμος των συντριμμιών - κρυμμένοι κίνδυνοι βαθιού 擊毀-暗藏的風險世界的深 Wereld van Wrakken - Verborgen Risico's van Diep Mondo dei naufragi - rischi nascosti del profondo 大破-深いのの隠された危険の世界 난파 - 깊은 것의 숨겨지은 위험의 세계 Mundo das destruições - riscos escondidos do profundo Мир развалин - спрятанных рисков глубокого Mundo de las ruinas - riesgos ocultados del profundo העולם של - מוסתר ינוכיס העמוקה של दुनिया की है - दीप के छुपे हुए जोखिम Thế giới của Wrecks - Rủi ro trong các sâu Wraki - Ukryte Zagrożenia z โลกของ- ซ่อนความเสี่ยงของลึก Mundo ng - Nakatagong panganib ng  Romuajoneuvoista - Piilotettu riskejä Свет олупине - Скривени ризици од Дееп Världen av vrak - Dolda Risk Dünya virane - ve Gizli Riskler

  3. Worldwide, over 8,500 wrecks of large vessels* containing total of 1.5 to 15 million tonnesof oil and hazardous materials (2005 IOSC Study) ERC Wreck Databases *tank vessels or other ships of least 400 GRT

  4. Geographic Distribution of Wrecks Note: Exxon Valdez = 37,400 tonnes About 1,360 in US Waters ERC Wreck Databases

  5. Types of Vessels by Age ERC Wreck Databases

  6. Types of Vessels by Age 75% of the wrecks are World War II era – warships or sunk by warships ERC Wreck Databases

  7. Varying Conditions of Wrecks • Leaking chronically (e.g., USS Arizona – 2 gallons per day) • Leaking episodically (e.g., SS Jacob Luckenbach “mystery” spills) • Potential to release oil in larger amounts after disturbance • Reported relatively intact • Condition unknown USS Mississinewa

  8. Environmental and Socioeconomic Resources at Risk

  9. 2005 International Oil Spill Conference • Too many wrecks = too overwhelming • Too many legal issues • Too many financial issues • No guidance on how to deal with wrecks • No systematic approach to assessment

  10. Wrecks of the World ConferenceSeptember 2009 • Discussions of pro-active strategies • Introductions of risk assessment strategies

  11. Growing Acceptance for Pro-Active Strategy Towards Shipwrecks • Reactive Strategy - Deal with continuous leaking or sudden release oiling events and damages as they occur – greater costs for spill response and damages, risk remains OR • Pro-active Strategy - Take proactive approach to remove oil from wrecks with greatest risk – highest potential for leakage or spillage and highest damages – lower costs, risk removed

  12. Proactive removal of oil and hazardous materials from risky wrecks will: • Avert significant damages to natural and socioeconomic resources • Reduce costs for response and monitoring of spills and leakage

  13. Challenges with Pro-Active Strategy • Large number of wrecks • Considerable expense for remediation • Limited funding available for remediation • Financial/legal responsibility often at issue • Risk to personnel in removal operations • Potential for leakage during removal operations • Unnecessary for many wrecks (unlikely to leak or little oil left on board)

  14. Risk Assessment Approach Assess shipwrecks with regard to risk

  15. Risk = Probability x Consequences

  16. Risk = Probabilityx Consequences Probability of Leakage

  17. Risk = Probability x Consequences Consequences (Impact from Leakage)

  18. Risk = Probability x Consequences Probability of Leakage Consequences (Impacts from Leakage)

  19. Risk Assessment Projects • Scandinavian (Swedish Maritime Administration et al.) • France and Italy DEEPP project (CEDRE) • Canada (Transport Canada) • South Pacific (UNEP PREP et al.) • UK (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) • Norway (Kystverket) • US “Wreck Oil Removal Project” (NOAA/USCG)

  20. Scandinavian Risk Assessment • Beginning development of database of wrecks • Analysis of legal situation of wrecks • Case study: SS Skytteren (sank 1942)

  21. DEEP Project (France & Italy) • Unique international cooperation • Process: • Library research • Sea bottom exploration • ROV investigation • Wreck identification (to Database) • Risk Analysis • Decision

  22. Transport Canada • 1,000s of wrecks charted on Canada east coast • Aerial surveillance (mystery spills) • Work with CCG, industry, provinces, fishing community to establish contingency plans • Case Study: Dredge Shovelmaster – decision to leave in place, monitor

  23. South Pacific • Extensive mapping and identification of wrecks (particularly WWII-related) • Development of comprehensive database

  24. UK Potentially Polluting WreckRisk Assessment Pollution risk (oil, chemical) Safety risk (unexploded ordnance)

  25. US “Wreck Oil Removal Project”

  26. Other Developments • Technological developments and breakthroughs • Field experience with removal projects • Legal developments • Financial considerations

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