The project is unique due to the integration of simulators into a common network for the training and cooperation of Russian, Finnish and Estonian specialists in anticipation of a potential oil spill response scenario. Research indicates that the marine transport of oil and oil products will continue to increase, exceeding 200m tons per year by 2010. Environmental protection, safety of navigation and a preparedness for rapid response to incidents is of critical importance for all three countries.

Three major Gulf of Finland maritime training centres are participating. The projects aim to unite three national Crisis Management Simulator Centres (CMSCs) as one network, sharing resources whilst simultaneously training for contingency, response and clean-up procedures using the same spill scenario in all three countries.

All three simulator centres are equipped with the Transas PISCES II Oil Spill Simulator, the latest version of the Navi-Trainer Professional 4000 navigation simulator with added air surveillance/helicopter functions and live AIS function.

All CMSCs can communicate with each other by means of a video conferencing facility.

Training scenarios are devised and details of this incident is loaded into Potential Incident Simulation Control and Evaluation System (PISCES II).

The system provides the information required to make decisions regarding oil spill response, calculates operational costs, models the predicted spill trajectory to determine the shoreline point of impact and assesses weather conditions.

Since the accident has taken place in Russian territorial waters, the command and decision making lies with the Russian response authorities.

A Russian regional oil pollution response plan is then implemented, controlled from Russian headquarters.

Visualisation of the incident and its development, including air surveillance information, assists MRCC decision makers in determining how best to proceed with both passenger rescue and oil spill response. Cooperative sharing of information provides the best available resources in each country for common use and mutual benefit.

MJInformation No: 22124