SRI LANKA COAST GUARD AND NAVY CONDUCT OPERATIONS ROOM OFFICER COURSE FOR MEPA

Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) and The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), successfully conducted a two-day Operations Room Officer Course on Oil Spill and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Mitigation for the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) on the 25^th and 26^th of November 2024. The training was held at the MEPA Operations Room and Naval Headquarters, marking a significant step in enhancing the country's response capabilities for marine environmental emergencies.

The course, organized at the request of MEPA, aimed to equip operations staff and operations room officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage marine environmental incidents effectively.

The training covered a range of critical topics to prepare participants for real-world scenarios, including,

   a. Understanding operations room, fundamentals and purpose.

   b. Key duties and responsibilities of operations room officers during incidents.

   c. Essential considerations when establishing an operations room.

   d. Structuring sections for daily monitoring, incident response and escalation.

   e. DOs and DON’Ts for efficient and disciplined functioning.

   f. Techniques for effective information gathering and data logging.

   g. Identifying common obstacles and proposing practical solutions.

   h. Strategies for effective communication and teamwork during a response.

On the second day, participants engaged in a hands-on practical exercise, simulating oil spill response scenario in the MEPA Operations Room. This exercise provided them with a platform to apply the learned concepts in a controlled yet dynamic environment.

To further enhance their understanding, participants visited the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the Information Fusion Centre (IFC), where they observed real-time operations and learned about their significance in national and regional maritime safety efforts.

This initiative underscores the commitment of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Navy to safeguarding the marine environment. By empowering operations room officers with this training, the course enhances national readiness to respond effectively to oil spills and HNS incidents, mitigating their impact on Sri Lanka's coastal and marine ecosystems. Further, this collaboration highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in protecting the marine environment and ensuring sustainable development for the island nation.