Green Limerick: Preparing for the worst-case scenario along the Shannon Estuary

A TWO-DAY water pollution exercise for members of the Shannon Estuary Anti-Pollution Team (SEA-PT) was hosted by Limerick City and County Council (LCCC).

The exercise featured a trial response to a coastal oil spillage scenario near Glin, where over 60 people attended.

Paul O’Grady, Executive Engineer, Environment, Recreation and Climate Change at LCCC said the exercise was to simulate “the response to a potential oil spill” in the Shannon Estuary.

“This is an annual event and is essential to maintain a permanent state of readiness to minimise the effects of such an event on the people and natural environment of the estuary,” he said.

Thirty-six people also participated in a desktop emergency management exercise at Limerick City and County Council’s Dooradoyle Offices.

The membership of SEA-PT is drawn from the Shannon Foynes Port Company, local authorities in Limerick, Kerry and Clare, offshore industries and oil importers.

It was formed in 1993 to foster a unified coordinated response to pollution incidents in the Shannon Estuary.

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As a maritime local authority, the Council is obliged to have an oil pollution response plan, have access to a stock of oil pollution response equipment and to train its staff in response techniques.

The Shannon Estuary is a designated marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to ensure the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises. It is home to the only resident group of bottlenose dolphins in Irish waters.

SEA-PT members are equal shareholders and contribute an annual payment to cover the costs of exercises, training and the maintenance, replacement and upgrade of equipment.