Exercise Unicorn Recommendation Review Group
Progress Report June 2009
The following report is a condensed version of responses from assigned persons; the full response is available by contacting Dominic Stevens.
| No. | Recommendation | Assigned | Progress |
| 1 | Establish an exercise recommendation and best practice review group | Colin Mulvana | Group established - The group will continue to meet at selected intervals to assess the progress of implementation by assigned persons or consider the rationale for non implementation of the recommendations. Assignment Ongoing |
| 2 | Provision of an offshore installation fact sheet to be incorporated into OSCPs and Guidance Notes. NB - OSCP are now titled Oil Pollution Emergency Plans (OPEPs) | Craig Bunyan | OPEP Guidance has been rewritten, published on the DECC website and includes the pertinent information relating to an installation. This Guidance has been implemented with immediate effect for all new and updates to OPEP's. Assignment Completed 21/05/09 |
| 3 | Conduct appropriate and suitable presentations to Government, agencies, authorities and organisations who have a responsibility to respond to major oil spills | Colin Mulvana | The MCA Resilience Unit is setting up a series ‘road-shows’ for Strategic Co-ordinating Groups around the UK, this will hopefully attract a number of Police Forces and local authority personnel to attend. Presentations conducted included DfT Legal Department and P&I Clubs. Presentations to Offshore Operators are completed on request. Presentation to the UK Harbour Masters Association is programmed for June 2009. Assignment Ongoing |
| 4 | Review of the IBR function with regard to dealing with incident response prior to and following activation of the Operations Control Unit (OCU). | Michael Reid | Function reviewed – the role of the IBR is to monitor activities of the incident response, if an OCU is established the IBR role is one of support. Down-manning will take place but will remain active while the OCU is operational. Assignment Completed 21/05/09 |
| 5 | Review of IT equipment for field operatives during incident response | Craig Bunyan & Toby Stone | The MCA and the DECC are in the process of issuing new encrypted laptop computers with 3g facility to incident response personnel. It is anticipated that activation will be completed during the Autumn of 2009. Recommendation 11 and 15 also refers. Assignment Completed 21/05/09 |
| 6 | Review the MCA helicopter requirement for a HF radio | John Morphew | The MCA Interim contract includes the provision of Satellite and VHF based communications fits to the platforms. Both communications media ensure that the Agency can maintain communications with the platforms at all times. On the basis that there is an effective Satellite communications fit on the platforms, there is insufficient evidence to justify an HF Radio installation on the S92 or AW139 fleet. Assignment Completed 21/05/09 |
| 7 | Conduct appropriate and suitable presentations to MCA stations, Operations and Survey, on the intervention powers and the role of the SOSREP and his responsibilities. | Hugh Shaw | Preparation and organisation is continuing in conjunction with 3 above and the MCA Resilience Unit. Assignment Ongoing
|
| 8 | MCA staff, administration and operations, to be trained in order to be of assistance during major incident response. | Colin Mulvana | Proposal sent to Asst Dir Coastal Safety & Chief Coastguard stating reasons and proposed programme of training. Response received that this will be taken to the DMS MB for a fuller discussion. Assignment Ongoing |
| 9 | Consideration to creating a single contact e-mail address during major maritime incident response. | Toby Stone | MEOR have a single address, this is already wildly known within incident response circles. This recommendation was meant for contact to be established with other incident response organisations, i.e. JNCC, CCW, MFA etc., suggesting they consider creating a single contact e-mail address for all messages relating to incidents. Assignment Ongoing
|
| 10 | Exercising of SAR response in testing the NCP to be proportionate in relation to the scenario of an offshore pollution response exercise. | Michael Reid & Toby Stone | Discussed and agreed that the recommendation will be incorporated within the NCP review proposed 2010-2011. During the interim period future exercise planning teams to be made aware through liaison/contact with Head of the Counter Pollution and Response Branch, MCA and Head of Offshore Environment Operations Unit, DECC. Assignment Completed 21/05/09 |
| 11 | Review and consider the resources and equipment requirement for BERR press officers | Mike Reid | DECC (was BERR) media now issued with mobile telephone, BlackBerry and remote operating laptop. Head of DECC Media is conducting a review of the unit’s role and functionality.
Assignment Completed 21/05/09 |
| 12 | To conduct a full scale ‘media only’ exercise within the next 2-3 years which involves setting up of a media briefing centre. | Mark Clark | Media will be exercised when the main combatants have as one of their main objectives, media play. Fully intend to engage on media play as and when the opportunity presents itself. Media only exercise would have to be included in budgetary bid for the financial year 2010/11. Assignment Completed 21/05/09 |
| 13 | Review of security measures at Marine House, Blaikies Quay | Steve Pigott | The present system is considered robust and no reason to enhance the arrangement of issuing key cards. The system will be reviewed on a regular basis. Assignment Completed 21/05/09
|
| 14 | Individuals and operational cells to submit a message to other participating groups/cells when they are established and operational. The message should also include confirmation of contact details. Template to be created. | Colin Mulvana | Template for the activation and de-activation of response cells has been designed. The format is in the process of being agreed with DECC/MCA prior to distribution to other incident responders. Assignment Ongoing |
| 15 | Review of facilities for Cells and procedures highlighted to strengthen current arrangements including the roles and responsibilities of all individual post holders. The core membership of the MRC to be reviewed in particular the EG input and the requiremet , or otherwise, for FRS and local fishery interests particularly with regard to the use of dispersan | Michael Reid & Toby Stone | DECC is in the process of providing all staff with lap tops, to replace desk top IT equipment. In addition the location of the IBR is subject of an internal review. Roles and responsibilities have been re-emphasised during ongoing incident response training sessions. The Information and Technology Unit is reviewing the IT status of certain MCA personnel to ensure respective cells have the correct equipment to effectively fulfil their role. A major review of the NCP is planned for 2010/2011 and during this review this particular recommendation will be discussed.
Assignment Closed 21/05/09 |