Oil spill responders protect marine ecosystems by minimizing the environmental impact of an oil spill. This class provides an introduction to marine oil spill response, risk management, chemical safety in clean-up, decontamination, and scientific discoveries and innovations that minimize damage to marine and coastal environments. Students will discuss the impact of oil spills on marine life, coastal preservation, and other issues that affect the wellbeing of oceans and waterways. Course aligns with International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Cooperation conventions for first-line marine spill responders. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Course Outcomes
- Apply a basic working knowledge of equipment used in marine oil spill response
- Demonstrate appropriate response to various types of oil spill cleanup activities
- Select appropriate containment boom to collect oil
- Deploy, retrieve, and process boom and sorbent materials
- Set up temporary storage capacity for recovered product
- Demonstrate how to use remote sensing tools for tracking and identification of recoverable oil
- Complete and submit appropriate paperwork and reports
- Compare and contrast open ocean, shoreline, inland, and non-floating oil spill scenarios and responses
- Describe the impact of oil spills on oceans, waterways, and coastal preservation
- Work effectively in team environment and provide support and assistance