ABPmer to present at Wrecks of the World Conference, Washington
May 10, 2011
ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) will be showcasing its understanding of potentially polluting wrecks at the Wrecks of the World Conference being held on 6-7 June in Washington, DC at MITAGS.
Nicola Goodwyn, maritime archaeologist and GIS consultant at ABPmer, has been invited to present a paper during the session on “Potentially Polluting Shipwrecks - The Way Forward - Goals and Initiatives”.
Sponsored by the American Salvage Association (ASA) and the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA), this conference, “Wrecks of the World II: Evaluating and Addressing Potential Underwater Threats,” provides an opportunity for an objective review and discussion of the current state of potentially polluting wrecks and to offer considerations to address the problem.
The problem of potentially-polluting wrecks has long been discussed and recent incidents around the world have caused government agencies and responsible parties to look proactively at preventing catastrophic oil and other chemical releases from long submerged shipwrecks.
ABPmer’s experience in evaluating risk from the UK’s potentially polluting shipwrecks and it’s current involvement with NOAA’s ‘Undersea Threats Database’ means that it is well-placed to contribute to discussing ways forward on this issue.
Nicola Goodwyn explained, “From the viewpoint of environmental and economic impacts, there is little difference between oil spilling from a sunken vessel and oil spilling from a modern day vessel casualty, with the exception that, while there is no way to predict the location or timing of the next major oil spill, potentially polluting wreck sites are known and the probability of a spill event is quantifiable or even inevitable. Taking a proactive rather than a reactive approach to mitigating this risk will save not only in response costs, but also reduce the threat of environmental and socio-economic damage.
“ABPmer has been asked to contribute in recognition of our ongoing work in predictive risk algorithm models to assess the pollutant potential of historic and modern shipwrecks. Additionally, we will sit on a panel of experts to answer questions relating to the challenges of assessment and monitoring these underwater assets.”
ABPmer is a recognised provider of specialist expertise to the maritime sector and has undertaken a number of reviews for UK government relating to marine pollution. Such projects often pose unique challenges; ABPmer’s dedicated team of data professionals have developed a series of tools and techniques that resolve complex data analysis and information presentation issues. Staff expertise includes webGIS, programming, customisation, development, data acquisition, metadata management, advanced spatial analysis and information presentation.
More information on the WOW II conference and details of how to register can be found at:
http://www.maritime-executive.com/files/WOWIIBrochure(9)04-18-11.pdf
Enquiries:
Tracey Hewett
ABPmer Communications
Tel: 02380 711840
