OPEP Level 1 (On-Scene Commander)

This course is essential for those who need to manage oil spill responses effectively, ensuring safety, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance.

OPEP Level 1 (On-Scene Commander)

At a glance

  • 120 minutes
  • 10 modules
  • 36 assessment questions
  • No pre-requisites
  • 80% pass mark

Accreditation

This course is accredited by The Nautical Institute. Your certificate will be registered with them on completion.

£165.00

Per unit - exc. VAT

Why this course matters

  • Rapid, informed decision-making is essential to prevent oil spills from escalating and causing major environmental harm.
  • OPRC, MARPOL and UK regulations require competent on-scene commanders to meet strict reporting and compliance standards.
  • Clear communication, defined command roles and correct equipment use are critical to avoiding response failures.
  • Accurate spill assessment and modelling ensure effective, proportionate and environmentally responsible response actions.
  • Overview

    Built with the experts at Briggs Environmental, the aim of this course is to provide you with the fundamental knowledge to deal with and Tier 1 oil spill safely and effectively.

    The course outlines how and why spills occur, their potential effects on the environment, how they can be cleaned up, and how various agencies prepare for spills before they happen.

  • Who should take this course?

    Overall, OPEP Level 1 On-Scene Commander Training is essential for those who need to manage oil spill responses effectively, ensuring safety, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance.

    • Emergency Response Personnel - Individuals who are designated to take command during oil spill incidents, including those working in the oil and gas industry, maritime sectors, and governmental agencies.
    • Environmental and Safety Officers - Professionals responsible for environmental protection and safety within organizations that could be impacted by oil spills.
    • Incident Command System (ICS) Personnel - Members of the incident command structure who need to understand the specific challenges and strategies related to oil spill response.
  • Learning outcomes

    Module 1 – Prevention

    LO1: Introduction to oil spills

    LO2: Sources of spills

    LO3: Risk assessment

    LO4: Spill prevention

     

    Module 2 – Legislation and Contingency Planning

    LO5: Legislation and Contingency planning

    • International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation
    • Article 6 of the OPRC convention

    LO6: Reporting procedures

    • Spill Reporting procedures under OPRC, MARPOL and UK legislation
    • Submitting a PON-1 form

    LO7: Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

    • The primary objectives of an Oil Pollution Emergency Plan
    • Developing an Oil Pollution Emergency Plan
    • Oil Pollution Emergency Plan Contents

    LO8: The role of the SOSREP

    • The role of the Secretary of States’ Representative
    • The Secretary of States’ Representative’s expectations from companies and operators

    LO9: The levels of equipment available for oil spill response at local level and national level

    • Tiered Response
    • Tiered Response Flowchart

    LO10: The Structure of the Incident Response Organisation (Operations Control Unit)

    LO11: The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF)

    LO12: Chemical and Physical Properties of Oil

    LO13: Oil Classification

    LO14: Sampling oil spills

     

    Module 3 – Assessing the Situation

    LO15: Oil Fate

    • Weathering
    • Spreading
    • The fate of oil types

    LO16: Predicting the movement of oil

    • Tracking an oil spill using computer modelling
    • Oil spill equipment for surveillance and tracking

    LO18: Socio-economic and Environmental Impacts

    LO19: Environmental Sensitivities

    LO20: Quantify spillage size by visually using Bonn agreement colour code tables

    LO21: Calculating the Volume Spilled

    LO22: Perform a site safety assessment and briefing

     

    Module 4 - Activate operational response

    LO23: Activate and mobilise the response teams and response organisation

    LO24: Notification and approval requirements for use of chemical dispersants

     

    Module 5 - Establish & Organise response structure

    LO35: The roles of National Agencies

     

    Module 6 - Develop an action plan for response

    LO26: The advantages and disadvantages of chemical dispersants

    LO27: Application of chemical dispersants

    LO28: Response Strategies-Monitoring and Evaluating

    LO29: Response Strategies-Containment and Recovery

    LO30: Response Strategies-Shoreline

    LO31: Response Strategies - Spill kits

    LO32: Prepare a response action plan

     

    Module 7 - Manage and Control ongoing response

    LO33: Effective communications during an operational response

     

    Module 8 - Deactivate the Response

    LO34: Select the criteria for the cessation of response operations

     

    Module 9 - Debrief and Report

    LO35: Final reporting and documentation requirements at closure of spill response

    LO36: Post Incident Debrief

     

    Module 10 - Legal Matters

    LO37: Legal Framework and Penalties

  • Course content

    Modular based, animated e-learning with interactive exercises and scenario based assessment.

    Developed with the subject matter expertise of Briggs. Briggs is an industry leader in providing a wide range of environmental services, including oil spill response, training and consultancy.

  • Assessment & certification

    This OPEP Level 1 (On-Scene Commander) training course ends with a 36-question assessment with a downloadable certificate.

    This course is accredited by The Nautical Institute. Your certificate will be registered with them on completion. Established in 1971, The Nautical Institute is has consultative status at the IMO.