Short Courses

SC102: Shoreline Clean-Up Assessment Technique (SCAT)
Instructors: Drs. Rob Holland, OSRL, Ed Owens, OCC, & Elliott Taylor, Polaris Applied Sciences, Inc.
Length: 8 Hours
Student Cap: 50
Description: A shoreline response usually presents the greatest challenge in terms of management and can potentially be the most expensive part of an oil spill response. As soon as the oil hits the shoreline, the amount of time, effort and resources increases. Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Technique (SCAT) is a well-established systematic approach which is used to document the status of oiled shorelines and their subsequent treatment recommendations (i.e. clean-up methods). This 1-day course will look at the fundamentals needed to implement and be part of a SCAT program, from looking at the character and dynamics of coastal zones and how oil behaves on different shoreline types to managing a shoreline assessment program and developing the most appropriate endpoints. The course will be carried out in the classroom and will provide you with first-hand experience in assessing a shoreline and develop an understanding of the dynamics that control oil behavior and the physical environmental factors that determine clean-up options.

SC103: Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS): Assessing Response Planning and Preparedness
Instructors: Dr. Elliott Taylor, Polaris Applied Sciences, Inc., Miguel Moyano, ARPEL, Dario Miranda, Independent Consultant
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 50
Description: This course will assist participants in the development of skills to implement the use of the RETOSTM tool, its Manual, and the 2023 IMO-IPIECA International Guide for the Assessment of Oil Spill Response Planning and Preparedness in the evaluation of OSR planning and readiness and to identify gaps, information needs, and sources for improvement.

The Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOSTM), its Manual, and the 2023 International Guide were updated during 2022-2023 to provide the response community with up-to-date tools and references for oil spill response planning and preparedness program assessments and continued improvements. These tools were developed with the support of regional and international experts from the industry and government to assist governments and companies in assessing their level of oil spill response planning and readiness management in relation to commonly agreed pre-established criteria considering international Best Management Practices.

RETOSTM is a unique management tool utilized worldwide by governments and oil industry and transportation managers in more than 80 countries to assess gaps in their oil spill response programs-at different levels. The tools provide guidance on opportunities to improve preparedness and resources to bridge the identified gaps. The free, online application offers users assessment tools for a range of oil spill response scopes, including National, Port, Facility, and Operations (i.e., Pipeline, vessel fleets, etc.).

The course will be useful to officials, leaders, coordinators, and managers responsible for the strategy, sustained development, and improvements of oil spill preparedness and response plans and programs, from companies and governments alike.

SC105: Fundamentals of Oil Spill Response
Instructor: Dr. Amy Jewell, Dr. Angela Pinzón, Andrew Le Masurier, Dr. Sue Ware
Student Cap: 50
Length: 8 Hours
Description: This eight-hour full-day course provides an introduction to the various components of an oil spill response. Through an interactive all-day tabletop exercise interspersed with a series of technical presentations, attendees will learn about the chemical and physical properties of oil, the effects of oil on environmental and economic resources, and techniques for responding to spills of oil at-sea and on the shoreline. Attendees will also gain an insight into the process for recovering costs following an oil spill. The course will be highly interactive, with attendees taking part in several exercises throughout the day to assist with understanding the topics presented, including an augmented reality (AR) experience to visualize and plan shoreline clean-up operations. This course will be taught in accord with the International Maritime Organization’s model course content.

SC108: Basic Oil Spill Forecasting and Modeling
Instructor: Dr. Chris Barker, NOAA; Dr. Amy MacFadyen, NOAA; Matt Horn, RPS | North America; Dr. Deborah French McCay, RPS | North America
Student Cap: 50
Length: 4 Hours
Description: This course will introduce the fundamentals of oil spill transport, fate, and effects analyses using computer modeling. Applications include forecasting for spill response, hindcasting, response planning, and risk assessment in marine and inland waters. The session will introduce the basics of oil spill science as it pertains to modeling. It will then provide an overview of modeling use cases, with examples using oil spill models from RPS (previously ASA) and NOAA. We will highlight differences in approach between offshore versus terrestrial modeling, as well as the inclusion of response activities, use in response, drills, spill response planning, environmental risk assessment, and injury (natural resource damage) assessment.

SC111: Aerial Surveillance of Oil Spills
Instructor:  Adam Davis, NOAA; Miguel Patel, ITOPF
Student Cap: 50
Length: 4 Hours
Description: Aerial surveillance is an essential element of an effective response to most oil spills, for assessing the location and extent of oil contamination and verifying predictions of the movement and fate of oil slicks at sea. Observation from the air can provide information to maximize the deployment and control of spill response operations at sea, the strategic and timely protection of sites along threatened coastlines and the management of resources for shoreline clean-up. This half-day, four-hour, short course provides an introduction to planning and conducting an effective aerial surveillance strategy. Guidance is provided on preparing and performing aerial observation missions for each of the three main types of platforms available: manned and unmanned aircraft, and satellites. The presenters of this course from NOAA and ITOPF, together have experience of observing spills of oil on the sea surface over many decades globally, including during the response to many well-known incidents, as passengers in fixed and rotary wing aircraft, as ground observers using unmanned aerial vehicles and by commissioning and interpreting images from a variety of satellites. The knowledge, experience and skills gained from this extensive practical involvement in observing oil will allow course attendees to understand the importance of this tool to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of an oil spill response.

SC115: Hands On: NOAA Tools for Basic Oil Spill Forecasting and Modeling
Instructors: Dr. Christopher Barker, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, Dylan Righi, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, Dalina Thrift-Viveros, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, & Dr. Amy MacFadyen, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 50
Prerequisites:It is assumed that students will have a basic understanding of the physics and chemistry of oil spill behavior and the applications of modeling, such as what is covered in the IOSC 2024 Short Course: “Basic Oil Spill Forecasting and Modeling”.
A laptop computer with WiFi will be required to participate in the hands-on exercises.
Description: This course will cover the practicalities of oil spill fate and transport computer modeling. Participants will get hands-on experience using the NOAA GNOME Suite for Oil Spill Modeling for predicting oil spill fate and transport. The following topics will be covered: - Oil weathering analysis - Oil trajectory modeling - Model parameters that can be adjusted, and what the implications are - Interpreting the results - How to select an appropriate oil record from the database - Accessing maps - Accessing oceanographic and meteorological data from nowcast/forecast models - File formats for input data - File formats for disseminating model results - Handling uncertainty. Although the emphasis of the course will be on the use of the NOAA tools for drills and planning, the fundamental understanding acquired will be applicable to other models and other use-cases. 

SC116: Oil Spill Response in River Environments: An All-Season Approach
Instructors: Dr. Maria Hartley, Chevron & Ty Farrell, Plains, USCG CWO (Retired)
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 50
Description: Oil spills in rivers pose significant environmental risks, requiring effective response strategies. This short course covers key considerations and strategies for responding to river oil spills, including during winter weather conditions. It is based on the API Swift Water Spill Response Guide and API Winter Weather Response Guide, along with presenting case studies. In swift water environments, oil spills can rapidly spread, making containment and recovery challenging. Response teams use containment booms, absorbents, and specialized equipment to navigate turbulent waters. Techniques like rapid deployment underflow dams and diversionary tactics can guide the oil towards recovery points. Safety, protection, cleanup, and canine use are also important considerations. During winter weather, frozen rivers and lakes present unique challenges. Immediate response involves evaluating ice weight bearing capacity to safely deploy personnel and equipment. Techniques such as creating openings in the ice and using skimmers and other tools are used to recover oil. Innovative methods like under ice water jets may be employed, while advanced remote sensing technologies aid in monitoring the spill's extent and trajectory. Safety considerations, training, specialized equipment, and collaboration among stakeholders are essential for swift water and winter weather response, along with robust contingency plans, regular drills, and sharing best practices to improve preparedness and response capabilities. This short course provides an overview of responding to inland oil spills in swift water and winter weather. It emphasizes the importance of an all-season approach using specialized equipment, innovative techniques, and collaboration to minimize environmental impacts and protect these unique environments.