SOPEP stands for Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan. It's a written guide on board a vessel that outlines the procedures and actions to be taken in response to an oil spill.
The SOPEP is designed to:
- Provide clear guidance to shipboard personnel on how to react to an oil spill incident.
- Establish a chain of command and communication channels.
- Detail reporting requirements to relevant authorities.
- Describe the procedures for mitigating or preventing further oil pollution.
- List the equipment available on board for pollution control.
In essence, the SOPEP acts as a comprehensive emergency response plan to minimize the environmental impact of an oil spill from a ship.
