Discussion
Nerland: You mentioned training. I was just wondering if your organization has considered the IMO training course? The training courses worked by the OPRC working group for first responders, on-scene commanders, management level and so on?
Nishigaki: Yes, we know that the IMO course does exist, and we have also received the information about that. But we would like to first of all try to increase the number of people who can operate the units. And what will follow is that we need to have a training course for on-the-scene commanders and managers of the response systems. So we are thinking of having EARL in Singapore to conduct the training. First of all we would like to have a training course abroad, and then look back to Japan to have a course at home. We are planning such a program this year. Last year we also had training in EARL. We plan to join in the EARL training course this year as well.
Mutoh: Your list of equipment for rent includes oil skimmers, beach cleaners, portable tanks. Most of them are foreign-made equipment. Is domestic equipment inappropriate, or are there any reasons why you employ so much foreign-made equipment?
Nishigaki: We did not avoid using equipment made by Japanese manufacturers. It was just that we could not get the necessary performance with Japanese-made equipment. For over 20 years, we did not have a major incident, so the Japanese manufacturers did not feel that they could sell equipment even if they had made equipment with such performance. And our idea was to get what is most popular internationally and durable. It would be better if as many people throughout the world as possible could use it, so we selected equipment that is popular and has been proven to be durable.
Mutoh: Does that apply to oil booms as well?
Nishigaki: Yes, with respect to domestic oil booms, we stockpile the solid booms. We have very nice solid booms manufactured in Japan. We have 20,000 m of the solid booms eary on. But when it comes to inflatable booms, we have no domestic products. And the concept of our project is that whenever there is a request we transport the booms anywhere. So what's important is that they be compact and convenient.
Suzuki: Mr. Nerland asked earlier a question regarding the training program. At MDPC we have a training center in Yokosuka. And an oil spill response course has been established there. And under the overall training scheme, the IMO training program is exercised.
Gainsford: Can I ask what equipment was used in the DIAMOND GRACE, and how effective it was?
Nishigaki: In the case of DIAMOND GRACE, we lent solid booms and two GT-185s and 8 fast tanks (portable tanks). What was actually used, however, was the oil booms to surround the DIAMOND GRACE. The oil booms had a height of 115 cm (45 cm freeboard, 70 cm draft). It is reported that they were fully effective.
