NSW Maritime recently hosted an oil spill exercise in Coffs Harbour called 'Exercise Oily Carp'.

More than 100 people from 33 different agencies/ organisations took part in the exercise - which in its first incarnation was postponed from June 2007 due to the grounding of the Pasha Bulker.

On day one, there were four panel discussions to discuss the response to a scenario involving the grounding of a ship and resulting oil spill. This aimed to test our State marine oil spill response arrangements work with the State Disaster Plan arrangements.

The second day involved an equipment demonstration to familiarise regional staff and local emergency personnel with the resources and equipment available to respond to a large marine pollution incident.

The exercise was prepared by a planning team including representatives from NSW Maritime, the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), Department of Primary Industries, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney Ports Corporation and Newcastle Port Corporation.

NSW Maritime is responsible under State and National plans for responding to oil and pollution events on the north and south coasts of NSW. The major ports of Newcastle, Sydney and Port Kembla are the response authorities in their areas of jurisdiction.