• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). Marpol Annex I, Annex II, and IBC code [ Chapter 17 ] were revised by IMO in October 2004, adding some new "Special Areas" ( North Sea and Oman ) and revised regulations to prevent marine pollution by ships carrying oil or chemicals.
  
  
• You can download MARPOL (demo) as a .zip file for free. To get the full version you must get an activation code.
  
  
• Australian revised (11/2007) National Marine Chemical Spill Contingency Plan, free download - pdf (2.9 MB).
  
  
• American website about Emergency Planning for Chemical Spills.   En Español.
  
  
• OECD Chemical Accidents Department with information on accident prevention, preparedness, and response. English - Français.
  
  
• OECD Environmental Health and Safety: "International Directory of Response Centres for Chemical Accidents", PDF-format (0.5 MB, 2002).
  
  
• On June 23, 2008, USCG announced that, starting August 22, 2008, they will actively enforce requirements for certain non-tank vessels operating in US waters to have oil spill response plans. This concerns vessels of 400 grt and over and includes vessels under foreign flag. Vessels without a plan after that date can be detained by a US Port Captain ( Source = Maritime Reporter, July 2008, p. 20 ).
  
  
• Hazardous Cargo Bulletin, a magazine for those involved in the transport, storage, and handling of chemicals, gases, and dangerous oil products.
  
  
• World-wide summaries of oil spill response arrangements, resources and restrictions. Gives country specific data sheets. You must click on "Forward to ..." and agree on "Terms & Conditions" first before you get access to the different options to download.
  
  
• Internet resource directory of information on oil cargo spills, regulations, clean-up contractors and spill responsive organizations - US and world wide.
  
  
• World-wide oil spill control directory.
  
  
• Oil spill response organization listing resources.
  
  
• European Maritime Safety Agency: Inventory of EU member states' oil pollution response capacity, PDF-format.
  
  
• US Coast Guard Marine Casualty and Pollution Database.
  
  
• China pollution clean-up resources summary.
  
  
• Society of Maritime Industries giving info on pollution prevention, pollution control, and accident clean-up.
  
  
• Compensation and Liability for Oil pollution damage.

For training in oil spill response and prevention go to the end of next section "Hazardous Materials Training".

Hazardous Materials Training

• It is estimated that many deaths may be linked to hazardous substances at work each year in the EU - about 10 times more than workplace accidents. Get Expert forecast on emerging chemical risks related to occupational safety and health     3.4 MB.
  
  
• IMDG Code e-learning course for shore side personnel processing dangerous goods shipments; including IMDG Code Amendment 33-06, which is mandatory from January 01, 2008. See amendments check-list.
  
  
• Free online study courses concerning hazardous cargoes.
  
  
• Free on-line Hazardous Materials Safety Training courses. Although the courses are American, safety measures and practices are applicable everywhere. If you require a certificate upon completing a certain course, then you pay a small administrative fee.
  
  
• Online hazmat training, mainly US rules, some of these can, however, be applied also elsewhere.
  
  
• Hazardous Cargo Security online training course ( US ). The first item requested by US DOT inspectors is the Security Plan.
  
  
• Hazardous Materials Transportation training ( US ), in the form of Workshops, On-site training, or Online training.
  
  
• Oil spill control training for operators and Management at Southampton , Aberdeen ( UK ), Bahrein ( UAE ), and Singapore. The courses / certificates are approved by OPITO. Get course brochure - course descriptions with dates, locations, and fees - for 2009    (1.4 MB).
  
  
• "The First Responder's Guide to Satellite Communications", an overview and tutorial of satellite technology in response to natural or man-made disasters.

• World-wide chemical employment ( Europe, North America, and Asia ). Use job search function to find posted jobs.
  
  
• US owned environmental services company / consultancy seeks for Middle East ( UAE and the Northern Gulf ) [ two positions ] Emergency Response Managers / Oil Spill Response. The candidates should have 5-10 years experience in response to Oil Spills or other Emergency Response, such as Fire & Rescue and Hazardous Materials Response. Apply by e-mail to address given on employer's vacancy page.