Description (EN): MEDESS-4MS service is dedicated to the maritime risks prevention and strengthening of maritime safety related to oil spill pollution in the Mediterranean. The main goal of MEDESS-4MS is to deliver an integrated operational multi model oil spill prediction service in the Mediterranean, connected to existing oil spill monitoring platforms (EMSA-CSN, REMPEC and AIS data), using well established oil spill modeling systems, the environmental data from the GMES European Marine Service and the MS national ocean forecasting systems. The overall objectives of the project are: - To implement an integrated real time oil spill multi -model prediction service for the Mediterranean - To implement an interconnected network of data repositories that will archive and provide in operational way access to all available environmental and oil spill data - To develop an integrated user interface system with a unique Web point providing an interactive access to the different multi-model service scenarios, to suit the requirements of EMSA-CSN, REMPEC and the generic users. - To test the service functionalities with -key end-users': REMPEC, EMSA and other end-users such as national agencies combating oil spills and private profit commercial companies. MEDESS-4MS does not aim at developing new elementary service chains but will integrate and consolidate the existing ones, based on the experience gained through the interaction with operational response agencies, REMPEC and EMSA during real oil spill incidents in the region and the demonstrations and inter-calibration exercises carried out in the framework of EC projects. The proposal consists from 6 WPs: WP1 Project Management WP2 Information and awareness raising WP3 Capitalisation and long lasting effects WP4 To improve the evaluation and the monitoring of risks WP5 To strengthen common analytical and planning tools WP6 To compare and strengthen operational intervention systems All the activities in MEDESS4MS will be carried out in order to establish a sustainable integrated multi model oil spill prediction service consortium and partners expertise, operational response agencies, international and European organizations and areas of responsibility, are well established to reach the project objectives. Seven of the project partners are operating during the last 10 years forecasting centers, while six partners are providing individually oil spill predictions at local and sub-regional level, in close cooperation with their national operational response agencies.
Read more Achievements (EN): MEDITERRANEAN DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR MARINE SAFETY
MEDESS-4MS for training sessions
MANAGEMENT, TRAINING AND EXERCISES
The MEDESS-4MS web portal with different service scenarios, multi-model data access and interactive capabilities can be used to simulate emergency crisis conditions during exercises and training sessions.
Exercises and training sessions are an essential element of oil spill preparedness, developing responders’ competences and ensuring familiarity with response arrangements. MEDESS-4MS services can be used both in preparing and running oil spill response exercises. Modelling can be used to develop a scenario for a particular operation, and gives a visual indication of areas which may be at risk during an incident. When running an exercise, oil spill modelling results can be given to participants, providing visual and practical information to help them develop response action plans. Exercises also allow participants to become familiar with the capabilities of modelling systems and
the range of inputs required.
MEDESS-4MS useful information:
• Oil slick drift and weathering results
• Environmental data (Winds and Currents)
• GIS layers (sensitivity mapping)
MEDESS-4MS for emergency planning
PLANNING FOR RESPONSE OPTIONS TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE ACCORDING TO THE TIERED APPROACH AND PLAN REVIEW
To ensure a quick and appropriate response, it is important to be prepared. The development of an Oil Spill Contingency Plan is an industry standard approach, and often a legislative requirement for any operation that is exposed to an oil spill risk. Most plans are centred on a risk assessment that identifies potential oil spill events and scenarios, along with their probabilities of occurrence and potential consequences.
MEDESS-4MS provides useful information in both risk assessment and contingency planning processes. Following identification of the worst case spill scenario, oil spill modelling can assist in the identification of resources (flora, fauna, habitats, tourism facilities, harbours...) most at risk (i.e. Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, see Figure below). The identification of these resources can assist in the appropriate prioritisation of sensitivities and so determine the best methods for responding to a spill (such as chemical dispersants and/or mechanical oil booms).
MEDESS-4MS useful information:
• worst case scenario
• probabilities of impact at different locations
• simulation of a multitude of possible scenarios
• risk assessment and relative data
MEDESS-4MS for emergency operations
SUPPORTING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT, RECOVERED OIL AND DEBRIS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION GATHERING AND RISK ASSESSMENT / SENSITIVITY MAPPING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AT RISK / EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Once a simulation is complete, the evolution in time of the oil spill position and concentration can be visualized together with additional operational layers (sea current speed and direction, wind speed and direction, wave height and wave direction, socio-economic sensitivity maps, environmental sensitivity maps, response equipment...).
In case of an oil spill event, operators and response managers need to make quick and efficient decisions. For this purpose, MEDESS-4MS services can form the core of an operational forecast system for oil spill response (the trajectory of an oil slick as well as its properties).
An intuitive user interface ensures efficient usage during emergency situations without requiring detailed knowledge of the underlying modelling techniques. It is essential that accurate information, about both the incident and environmental conditions, is constantly communicated quickly and regularly to the response room from the in-field teams, so that models can be run using the best available data.
Trajectory modelling is commonly used in the early stages of spill response to support initial surveillance operations (satellite, aerial or marine observation and also drift buoys deployed on the oil slicks). MEDESS-4MS allows the backtracking of the oil slicks/illicit discharges to facilitate the identification of the culprit ship. MEDESS-4MS can also be used to run models after an oil spill alert from satellite data (automatic system).
MEDESS-4MS useful information:
• Oil slick drift and weathering results
• Backtracking
• Environmental data (Winds and Currents)
• GIS layers (sensitivity mapping)
• International communication
See more: http://www.medess4ms.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/guideline_for_emergency_planning_FINAL.pdf
Read more
Expected Results (EN): State of the art of project implementation since the project start
We notice an interesting shift, from an in-ward looking perspective, where the focus is mainly on the projects themselves, to a more open and out-ward looking approach, where the interest in the end usage of information and in services provided is increasing. In keeping with previous analyses, we have come up with typologies of end users, along a number of traditional dimensions: public and private supranational, national or local variously involved in the preparedness/ prevention, emergency response and recovery, and similar others. Mostly, key end users are public and institutional and consist of intergovernmental and governmental entities or local authorities, that are well represented in the MEDESS4MS partnership (Coast Guard, Maritime Safety Department, Port Authorities, Local or Regional Governments). In addition, we have identified 3 other types of potential users: providers of products or services directly related to oil spills (-oil spill industry-) providers of meteorological or oceanographic services and, finally, commercial users (involved in a number of industries - oil production or refining, insurance, shipping, fishing and aquaculture, and similar). The interviews and the qualitative analyses run so far, lead us to believe that awareness and concern for oil spills is concentrated within a limited number of organizations (we may call them -oil spill specialists-), that carry institutional obligations about them or that are directly related to oil spill events because oil spills are their main area of activity. These organizations are either public (as REMPEC, EMSA, the coast guard, port authorities, DGMARE, EEA) or private (as IPIECA, ITOPF, IOPC Funds, businesses belonging to the -oil spill industry-, environmental groups). Other organizations, both public and private (we may call them -oil spill generalists-), that may be potentially concerned (as a potential source of spills - shipping, oil production and refinery, or because they may be affected by it - local governments, fishing, tourism, parks), show a more superficial and lesser commitment. The reason for this may be the decreasing number of spills and the fact that they have no specific responsibility to deal with the more severe spills. We have to deal with the two groups of organizations in a very different way. To direct the first group of organizations, we need a coordinated effort with those among them that belong to our programme (REMPEC, coast guard, port authorities) and we may need a little time to be able to show the results of the project and the progress in our activities. To direct the second, we may start now, not only to collect information and data but also to increase their awareness of the phenomenon through targeted communication activities. I think of this second group of organizations as -supporters- for a campaign to -lobby- for resources for the system so they might not provide directly financial resources (or -pay- for the system) but provide instead strong indirect support for funding. In addition, we have to consider organizations coming also from other non-EU Mediterranean countries and to address the oil spill phenomenon across regions and continents, taking into account also Africans and east-Asian countries. They may also play an important role in providing a framework to search for additional resources for MEDESS, within international co-operation agreements.
Latest project activities and outputs
The most important activities so far in the MEDESS-4MS: Web Portal The official domain of the project (www.medess4ms.eu) has been regularly updated and improved particularly in the graphics of some pages and with new documents, seven news, four videos and over 100 pictures. Web portal relates to the overall dissemination activities and it will be a continuous process. Report on identification and analysis of key end users and stakeholders A template database to collect potential end-users of MEDESS-4MS services has been prepared and finalized with the cooperation of the WP2 partners. The DB provides information on the end-users (sector, public/private, localization) and its possible interest in the developed services. Identifying the needs of stakeholders. Sensitivity Map An MoU between Eni, REMPEC and DMS has been agreed and signed, with which MEDESS-4MS will have access to the data contained in ENI database developed in the MEDSTAR project. Synergies with other projects.
Next key steps for the project
We are now working towards improving the forecasting ability of the system and its reliability and accuracy, and therefore its performance. In addition, we want to increase the value of the output to end users and the fit with their needs and requirements. To do so, we may take explicitly into account oil weathering or new oil and pollutant types, or also we may provide extended, long-term forecasts or increase the frequency of delivery and provide finer grained forecasts both in time and space. We may also consider additional features, like backtracking, subsurface release, information about local resources to deal with oil spills or about impact and potential damage, stochastic forecasts, local forecasts, customized and better User Interface, and interface with satellite and in situ data, and so on. In addition, in order to provide a more effective tool, we may simulate different scenarios, for instance, by changing spill features and environmental conditions and their evolution in time. We may also devise alternative strategic and operational response options and compare and contrast their impact. Therefore, we may design new configurations of the model, by focusing on the following dimensions: With no visible impact on DSS outcomes: 1. Attention to oil weathering processes. With some impact on DSS outcomes: 2. Additional oil and pollutant types 3. Longer time span 4. Increased frequency of delivery 5. Finer grained forecasts in time 6. Finer grained forecasts in space. With a major impact on DSS outcomes: 7. Backtracking 8. Subsurface release 9. Information about local resources 10. Information about impact and potential damage 11. Stochastic forecasts 12. Local forecasts 13. User Interface 14. Interface with satellite and in situ data 15. Simulations. Based on the aspects that have just been highlighted, we may build a number of different profiles (or concepts) for our DSS, to be evaluated in terms of users' preferences, and to direct our efforts, we are interested in understanding the priorities given to each of these outcomes by our stakeholders and end users. In the meantime, a parallel stream of research is working towards defining the costs of the service in its main components, by analyzing the setup and maintenance costs, and by understanding their perceptions on likely costs and expenses and their readiness to provide financial support (-willingness to pay-).
Read more
