EMSA issues Report regarding Oil Spill Response Vessels: Drills and Exercises as follows:

In order to provide additional support to the Member States' pollution response mechanisms in a cost efficient way, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has built up, in European waters, a network of contracted Stand-by Oil Spill Response Vessels.

The vessels are ready to respond to oil spills at sea following the request of a coastal State1 or the Commission. By the end of 2011, the Network comprised 16 fully equipped vessels and one partially equipped vessel ready for immediate mobilisation, as well as one back-up vessel.

To achieve the performance for pollution response required by the Vessel Availability Contract (VAC), Contractors together with the associated vessels and their crews participate regularly in training, drills and operational exercises.

The Vessel Availability Contract defines two types of drills:

1) Acceptance Drill and

2) Quarterly Oil Pollution Response Drill, and

two types of exercises:

1) Operational Exercises and

2) Notification Exercises. Carrying out drills and exercises is an obligation for the Contractor.

The number of drills and exercises carried out annually has increased significantly over the years in line with the development of the Network.

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Source: EMSA