Civil Protection Department replies to Malta Independent Article

With reference to the article which appeared in "The Malta Independent on Sunday", dated 1st August, 1999, entitled "Serious lack of co-ordination in combating oil spills" wherein it was being alleged that "Almost none of the top functionaries who participated in an important meeting on water pollution control ….. were, at that point in time, aware of diesel spill which contaminated the Cirkewwa harbour on Thursday night", it is to be noted that both the Civil Protection Department, and other entities were fully aware of the incident, so much so that there was a close co-ordination of all entities involved to control the emergency. The role of the Civil Protection Department was as follows:

• The captain of the MV "Calypso" requested the intervention of the CPD Fire-Fighting vessel "Garibaldi". Likewise the Pollution Control Co-ordinating Unit requested assistance;
• As the vessel was berthed at Cirkewwa, two fire-fighting vehicles were despatched to the site;
• CPD officers were directed by the CPD Operations Manager to clean the quay so as to prevent further spillage of hydrocarbon into the sea;
• As soon as the vessel was declared safe, it was allowed to proceed back to Gozo.

It is also worth mentioning that the meeting held at the Malta Maritime Authority was held on the initiative of the Directorate of Civil Protection, in order to prepare contingency plans for any oil pollution incidents occurring within and outside the ports of Malta and not "organised by the MMA". The MMA, however, immediately accepted this request and extended full co-operation in this matter.