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Oil pollution response readiness

We work proactively to ensure that the National Maritime Response System is fully prepared to respond when needed. 

At its core, readiness involves having response-ready trained personnel, agreed plans and procedures and response equipment.

Connected with this are support systems, resources and advisors. We also rely on other national and international agencies and organisations.

Readiness activities we undertake to prepare for oil pollution response

The oil pollution response area is part of the National Maritime Response System.

Therefore, many of the readiness activities listed in the National Maritime Response System also apply to marine oil pollution response.

In addition to those in the National Maritime Response System, there are some readiness activities that are specific to oil pollution response:

  • engagement with Harbourmasters and port operators who have an interest in, and can support oil pollution response
  • training and exercising Regional On-Scene Commanders, who will lead a regional-level marine oil pollution response (for example Tier 2 response)
  • training and exercising of the Regional Response Teams (located in each regional council); a total of 32 exercises per year
  • training and exercising responders in the National Response Team including roles in the MECC and those executing field operations
  • ongoing development and enhancement of training courses and the associated resources
  • keeping staff and responders upskilled in specialist technical areas for example emerging or alternative fuels, well control techniques (for where there is a loss of control of an offshore oil and gas well), aerial observations or wildlife response.

Oil Pollution Levy

Oil Pollution Levies (OPL) are collected from industry to run New Zealand’s maritime oil pollution preparedness and response system.

Supporting oil pollution response in the Pacific Islands

Maritime NZ teams work closely with several of our Pacific Island neighbours, under the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme (PMSP). The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

A specific team within Maritime NZ - the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme team - facilitate our outreach and engagement in the Pacific.

One of the outputs of the PMSP is 'search and rescue, and marine pollution'.

The programme has supported Maritime Response staff to deliver, in several Pacific island countries: