NAS Reports Double Hulls Will Save 5,000 Tons In Spillage

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reported at a recent conference that the use of double-hulled vessels may prevent from 3,000 to 5,000 tons of oil spillage from collisions and groundings per year over the next 25 years.

The statement was made by Adm.

Arthur E. Henn, Chief, Office of Marine Safety & Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, at the recent International Union of Marine Insurance Conference in Boston.

Admiral Henn contended that the oil spillage savings would represent about half the average annual spillage from vessel accidents in U.S.

waters.

According to his report, large spills (30 tons and up) account for less than 3 percent of all spill events, but cause 95 percent of all spillage.

The Coast Guard is conducting a major study to determine improvements in tanker navigation as a means to reducing the risk of collision and grounding.

In addition, the Coast Guard is also beefing up its spill response by adding a new national strike team at Fort Dix in New Jersey to supplement its present force.

A control facility called the National Strike Force Coordination Center is being set up in Elizabeth City, N.C., to train and equip strike teams, as well as coordinate their response.

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