8.9 Marine Pollution and Environmental Contamination

Purpose

To provide operational guidance for responding to marine pollution, environmental contamination, and associated public safety hazards within patrol areas.

Overview

Marine pollution and environmental contamination incidents may present significant risks to members, beach users, wildlife, and the environment.

Hazards may include:

• Chemical or fuel contamination,
• Oil spills,
• Harmful algal blooms,
• Biological contamination,
• Debris or hazardous materials,
• Airborne contaminants or odours,
• Fire or explosion risks, and
• Unknown substances or discharges.

SLS personnel are not responsible for environmental clean-up or hazardous material response activities unless specifically trained and authorised to do so.

Where pollution or environmental contamination presents a public safety risk, patrol operations may need to be modified, restricted, or withdrawn in accordance with:

• SOP 8.11 – Adverse Weather and Environmental Conditions, and
• SOP 9.1 – Emergency Patrol Area Closure and Evacuation.

Procedure

Initial Response

Where marine pollution or environmental contamination is identified, SLS personnel should:

1. Conduct an immediate dynamic risk assessment,
2. Consider risks to members, beach users, and wildlife,
3. Avoid direct contact with unknown substances or contaminated water where practicable,
4. Restrict or modify patrol operations where required,
5. Consider closure or withdrawal of patrol operations where public safety risks exist,
6. Notify the State Operations Centre (SOC) as soon as practicable, and
7. Record observations and actions within operational systems where required.

Notification and Escalation

The SOC should be provided with:

• The location of the incident,
• Time identified,
• Description of the contamination or substance,
• Estimated affected area,
• Any observed impacts to members, wildlife, or the public,
• Details of any vessels or potential pollution sources where identifiable, and
• Any actions already undertaken.

The SOC may coordinate notification to relevant agencies including:

• Environment Protection Authority (EPA),
• Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT),
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA),
• Local Government,
• SA Health, or
• Other relevant agencies.

Operational Considerations

SLS personnel should:

• Avoid entering contaminated water unless necessary to preserve life,
• Utilise appropriate PPE where required,
• Maintain exclusion zones where practicable,
• Align public messaging with advice from relevant authorities,
• Avoid handling hazardous materials unless trained and authorised, and
• Continue monitoring conditions for escalation or changing risks.

Harmful Algal Blooms and Biological Hazards

Where harmful algal blooms, fish kills, marine fauna deaths, discoloured water, odours, foam, or airborne irritants are identified, patrol operations should be managed in accordance with:

• SOP 8.11 – Adverse Weather and Environmental Conditions.

Reporting

Witnesses to pollution discharges or contamination incidents should be encouraged to report:

• The time and location of the incident,
• The type or appearance of the contamination,
• The estimated extent of the affected area,
• Any identifiable vessel or pollution source, and
• Supporting photographs or observations where safe to obtain.

References

• SOP 8.11 – Adverse Weather and Environmental Conditions
• SOP 9.1 – Emergency Patrol Area Closure and Evacuation