DTI Petroleum Operations Notice
No. 2 Loss or dumping of synthetic materials or other refuse at sea

The Department of Trade and Industry has been asked to circulate the text below on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Office, Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department.

1. The attention of all those working on or near offshore installations is drawn to the hazard created by floating or submerged synthetic materials. Such materials, which are impervious to rot, are used in the construction of a wide variety of fishing lines, ropes, seismic and other cables and fishing nets which, if lost or discarded at sea, can foul propellers of vessels. In particular they present a very real hazard to divers and submersibles.

2. Plastic sheeting, bags and containers can block the cooling water intakes of vessels of all sizes and must not be dumped into the sea.

3. Materials such as oil drums, lengths of wire and other heavy objects must not be dumped at sea (except under conditions of force majeure). These may be moved considerable distances by water currents and tides and may eventually arrive on fishing grounds, causing much damage to nets and loss of time to fisherman.

4. Special precautions should be taken to prevent the loss of such materials and articles mentioned above. In the event of the loss of such materials and articles overboard or when being towed, every reasonable attempt should be made to recover them.

5. Any queries concerning this Notice should be sent to the addresses below.

Back | Title | Table of Contents
Appendix 1 | Appendix 2 | Appendix 3 | Appendix 4 | Appendix 5 | Appendix 6 | Appendix 7 | Appendix 8 | Appendix 9
Appendix 10 | Appendix 11 | Appendix 12 | Appendix 13 | Appendix 14 | Appendix 15 | Appendix 16 | Appendix 17
Index Map | Plate 1 | Plate 2W | Plate 2E | Plate 3W | Plate 3E | Plate 4W | Plate 4E | Plate 5 | Plate 6
Plate 7 | Plate 8W | Plate 8E | Plate 9W | Plate 9E | Plate 10W | Plate 10E | Plate 11 | Plate 12 | Legend