Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has organized an exercise named BARRACUDA-VW under the guidance of Pakistan Navy that aimed at rehearsing the anti-oil-spill procedures and contingency mechanism.
Marine pollution like major oil spills are hazardous to the marine environment and pose a threat to ports, harbors, and economic zone, demanding a joint comeback by all investors.
After the incident of MV TASMAN spirit in Karachi in 2003, a dire need felt to frame a complete anti-pollution plan. Government of Pakistan in 2007 with Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency in lead role has prepared and propagated National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan (NMDCP).
National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan (NDMCP) placed inclusive organization and exigency plans to handle marine disasters effectively at the national level.
Chairman Pakistan Marine Disaster Management Board (PMDMB) has ordered the execution of NMDCP supervised by Chief of the Naval Staff. A response committee intended to coordinate the efforts to handle disaster from Disaster Response Centre (DRC) at HQ PMSA.
This marine oil spill exercise was conducted in three phases.
Phase-I was held at HQ PMSA that included an opening brief, discussion, and pre-operational checks for practical exercise.
DG PMSA Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar was the Chief Guest of opening session. Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Operations Rear Admiral Zahid Ilyas and Flag Officer Sea Training Rear Admiral Zaka ur Rehman also attended the session.
Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency highlighted the current dangerous amount of sea pollution that can be harmful to future generations.
Phase-II was conducted on at sea near Karachi harbor on all sides of practical oil containment exercise and Phase-III at the Clifton Beach Karachi for the first time to rehearse oil spill response on land.
The units of Pakistan Navy, PMSA and various Government, Civil organizations including Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Gwadar Port Authority, National Institute of Oceanography, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, SEPA, Pakistan Metrological Department, Bahria Foundation, China Power Hub Generation Company Ltd, Shell Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan Oil Refinery Ltd, National Oil Refinery Ltd, Oil Companies Advisory Committee, City Govt Karachi, BYCO Petroleum Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Pakistan State Oil, Total Parco Marketing Ltd., KANUPP, PEPA, BEPA, Pakistan State Oil, PMD Karachi, NCMPR, FOTCO, etc., have participated in the exercise.