Combating pollution

Marine pollutants have a tremendous impact on marine ecosystems, human health and the maritime industry. They include substances that threaten aquatic organisms, such as oil, chemicals (e.g., pesticides, toxic substances), wastewater and other wastes. Pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including industrial activities, shipping, tourism and illegal activities. They can lead to serious environmental, economic and health damage. For this reason, rapid response and effective action in the face of the threat are key.

Example causes and sources of pollution:

• Maritime transport: Ship failure, fuel spills, waste discharges, accidents.
• Maritime transport: Ship failure, fuel spills, waste discharges, accidents.
• Industry: Discharges of chemicals, toxic substances from factories and industrial plants.
• Drilling rigs: Exhaust fumes, oil spills and other waste.
• Wastewater pollution: Improper treatment of wastewater (e.g., as a result of accidents) or spilling into the sea.

The tasks of the SAR Service include combating oil and chemical hazards and pollution of the marine environment by:

• maintaining continuous readiness to receive and analyze notifications of danger to life and the occurrence of hazards and pollution at sea;
• planning, conducting and coordinating search, rescue and combating hazards and pollution;
• maintaining the readiness of life-saving forces and resources and combating hazards and pollution at sea;
• cooperate during search and rescue operations and combating hazards and pollution with other organizational units;
• cooperation with other rescue systems operating in the country;
• cooperation with relevant services of other countries, in the implementation of statutory tasks;

The tasks mentioned above are performed by the SAR Service on the basis of the "National Plan for Combating Hazards and Pollution of the Marine Environment"

Procedures and actions of emergency services in case of pollution

Intervention procedures:

• Response: SAR services, upon receiving a report of pollution, assess the scale, cause and potential impact on the environment.
• Response: SAR services, upon receiving a report of pollution, assess the scale, cause and potential impact on the environment.
• Assessing the situation: Collecting data on the type of pollution (oil, chemicals, other waste), its extent and possible spread.
• Assignment of resources: Sending appropriate units, such as rescue ships and shore rescue stations with equipment for containment and cleanup.
• Coordination with other services: For major incidents, SAR services cooperate with other institutions, such as the fire department, environmental services, and port administration.

Basic rules for dealing with pollution sightings

Instruction for citizens and seafarers:

• Reporting pollution: Anyone who notices pollution at sea or on the beach should immediately notify the appropriate services. The emergency number is 112 or the direct number to the SAR service (+48) 505 050 971.
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• Information required: The exact location, type of contamination (oil, chemicals), size and spreading data should be given.
• Photographs and documentation: If possible, take photos of the contamination and provide them to the services for faster assessment of the situation.

Guidance for ships and vessels:

• Duties of seafarers: Seafarers are required to report all pollution incidents, both their own and those observed on other vessels. They must also take preventive measures, such as securing cargo, following appropriate SOPEP (Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) procedures .
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• Reporting to services: Ships should use the international pollution reporting system Nautical Information System (NIS).