Ratifying International Conventions on the protection of the marine environment Keeping the coasts and the main vessel routes under constant surveillance Combating, monitoring and coordinating clean-up activities Enforcing domestic legislation relating to the prevention of pollution Requesting assistance from foreign authorities in the case of serious incidents, or coming to other countries' assistance on request Raising public awareness and promoting active participation of citizens in the protection of the marine environment Investigating every marine pollution incident caused by ships, or land-based sources Imposing penalties on offenders.
Precautionary tests and inspection of land-based sources (e.g., industries, shipyards, oil refineries, etc). Precautionary tests and inspection of all ships (under Greek or foreign flag) that sail in our seas or call at our ports. Educating and training the nominated personnel of the Ministry, of the Port Authorities and of the onshore installations, so that they will be able to effectively combat and coordinate any incident.
Emergency drills in order to test the personnel's state of being prepared and ready and the suitability of antipollution means and equipment. Drawing up and enforcing a "Local Contingency Plan" in every Port Authority by taking into account local conditions, environmentally sensitive spots, and activities that take place in a certain area. Constructing and operating reception facilities at every Greek port for shipgenerated waste and ships' residues with a view to improving the availability and use of such facilities on ships. Constantly modernizing the antipollution equipment and means already possessed. Proper legislative measures have been taken which have placed due consideration on the particular characteristics of sea areas where protected sea species live, shelter or reproduce. The formation of a new, environmentally friendly public opinion and the sensitization of the young foster a more respectful attitude towards the marine environment, enabling, thus, the active participation of all in its protection and preservation. The immediate action described in the Local or national Contingency Plan and the use of all available means and equipment. The use of scientifically approved and "environmentally friendly" methods of dealing with marine and coastal pollution. Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works Ministry of National Defense/General Staff Ministry of National Economy Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Transport and Communication Ministry of Interior Affairs/General Secretariat of Civil Protection Ministry of Public Order Ministry of Health and Social Security Ministry of Agriculture
Prefectures and Local Authority Organizations National Weather Service Hellenic Hydrographical Service Port Organizations and Port Pay Offices National Centre for Marine Research State Chemical Laboratory Faculties and Research Institutes ("Demokritos", Maritime Biology Research Institute of Crete, etc) Oil refineries-oil companies Antipollution contractors Port facilities contractors Tugboat and rescue boat companies Shipyards and ship-repair installations Various volunteers The quantity and type of oil The distance from the coast and the extent to which vulnerable sea areas run a risk of being affected The prevailing and expected weather conditions The available equipment The time for locating or reporting an oil spill Containment of the oil spill by deploying booms and oil recovery by using mechanical means (oil skimmers) Deployment of oil booms to protect sensitive areas Use of chemical dispersants Dispersal of the oil spill by using mechanical means when no other involvement is required Natural dispersal of the oil spill when no other involvement is required Clean-up of the polluted coastline by mechanical means or by hand.
The proper surveillance means are activated by the Port Authority in cooperation with the MEPD or the MRCC with a view to gathering information and evaluating the situation Thereafter, and depending on the significance of the incidence, the Local Coordinator (Harbour Master) activates the Local Contingency Plan
The Local Coordinator has the right, whenever necessary, to use the personnel and equipment belonging to oil companies and private antipollution contractors In cases of serious incidents, the Local Coordinator may request supplementary personnel and equipment from the MEPD. Planning and coordination in such cases are conducted by the National Coordinator (MEPD) and qualified H.C.G. officers are dispatched on the spot. Planning and decision-making: At this level senior officers of the H.C.G. and officials representing other public services and private companies are trained Coordination and supervision: At this level, personnel of the H.C.G. and of other services who is in charge of the operational teams is trained Equipment operation: At this level, the personnel who is responsible for operating the various equipment is trained. CLC 1992: International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage FUND 1992: International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992 MARPOL 1973/78: International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from ships BARCELONA 1976: International Convention on the Protection of Mediterranean Sea against Pollution LONDON 1972: International Convention on the dumping of wastes and other matters OPRC 1990: International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation
HELLAS-ITALY Bilateral Agreement on the protection of the Ionian Sea, 1978 European Union Regulations and Directives relating to the marine environment. Legislative decree 187/1973: Code of Public Maritime Law Presidential decree 55/98 on the protection of the marine environment (ex Law 743/77) Presidential decree 11/2002: National Contingency Plan Law 1650/1986: Environmental Protection E1b/221/1965 Public Health Regulation Prefectural Decisions (relating to the subject) Port Police Regulations Criminal consequences: Anyone found guilty of an oil pollution by the competent criminal court is sentenced to a term of imprisonment ranging from 10 days to 5 years Administrative fines: Port Authorities impose fines of up to 58.694 Euro. The Minister of Mercantile Marine has the authority to impose a fine of up to 1.173.881 Euro in the case of a serious marine pollution incident. As far as marine pollution caused by onshore installations is concerned, a fine of up to 120.000 Euro may be imposed by the Prefecture. The Minister of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works has the authority, along with other competent Ministers, to impose a fine of up to 733.676 Euro in the case of an extremely serious marine pollution incident. Disciplinary Penalties: Greek seamen responsible for marine pollution are tried before the Disciplinary Tribunal of Merchant Marine and punishment ranges from temporary suspension to permanent disqualification and discharge Civil Liability: The "polluter pays" principle is applied in Greece.
Craft, aircraft and vehicle purchases along with their equipment, fuel supplies, operational cost and cost of repair work The cost of combating incidents of marine pollution and of purchasing proper means and equipment The cost of sample analysis in expert laboratories in Greece or abroad Purchase of supplies that are necessary for the operation of the MEPD and of the Port Authorities Participating in International Organizations, Committees, and Conferences on marine pollution The cost for renting extra buildings, vehicles, crafts and aircrafts in emergency situations The payment of personnel used in emergency situations Informing the public through leaflets, TV spots, exhibitions or events