Discussion
Mearns： What was the damage to marine life from the spill―birds, mammals, fish?
Kudo： During one-and-a-half month period up to mid February, we had protected 1,269 birds. We don't know, of course, how many birds were killed in total.
Schive： You said in your wish for the future that you want to establish a system to collect information on drifting oil utilizing satellites. How in fact was the drifting oil observed during the NAKHODKA incident?
Kudo： Just for a short time in the initial stage of response activities,we observed the oil spill by use of satellites. But for the most part of the response activities, we made daytime observations by using helicopters of our own or P3C of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces to gather necessary information. Everyday we analyzed, the collected information by the evening of the sarne day, and based on the analysis, we predicted where the spill would drift next day. Of course, we were informed that the Canadian Radarsat took Photographic images of the spill. Yet, since the spill spread over a vast surface of the sea, we did not use always satellite information, due to our restricted funds to obtain such information.
Lessard： I noticed in your slide the difficulty in applying the dispersants in high wind from the ships. Is there an aircraft capability, or are you thinking you might want to fortify your existing capability with aircraft?
Kudo： By using helicopters, we did apply dispersants in the waters not adjacent the coast, for several days, but because of the nature of the spilled oil, we estimated that it would not be effective. And since the aerial application of dispersants from helicopters had various operational difficulties, we gave up the operation. Only when we confirmed much spill at the leakage point, we applied some dispersants.
Motora： In Japan, there is a discussion that we should also establish a preauthorization system for swift application of dispersants. I would like to ask aquestion to Mr. Kudo. During the NAKHODKA incident, you mentioned that dispersants were used at an early stage. How was it possible for you to use it at a relatively early stage?
Kudo： The hull was broken apart in the open sea; before the oil actually drifted ashore,there was a lot of time―I think more than five days. So on the second day after the incident occurred, that was January 3, through the responsible sections of the local government authorities, discussions were held with the fisheries unions and associations to obtain approval for application of dispersants. Therefore, in the NAKHODKA incident, we were able to use dispersants at an earlier stage of response.
Motora： Likely in the DIAMOND GRACE incident which took place in Tokyo Bay, dispersants were used at an early stage, thanks to which the damage was minimized. How was it possible?
Kudo： I am not in a position to answer about this incident, because I was not involved in the response. But according to the information I have, the fishermen knew very well about the properties of the oil; and they knew dispersants are very effective for crude oil at an early stage of response. Therefore approval was obtained soon and it was possible to start dispersant operation within three days. But there was a request from the fishermen not to continue using the dispersants after the third or fourth day.
Motora： Listening to your report, it seems that in Japan alike, it is possible to establish this preauthorization system. Is that correct?
Kudo： On that particular question, I believe the situation is different for the DIAMOND GRACE incident and the NAKHODKA incident, and different local government authorities may have different views. So I can not give you a simple answer of yes.
