Date of Award
1996
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
General Maritime Administration & Environment Protection
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Egypt
First Advisor
Sampson, Theodore.
Abstract
Egypt has a strategic geographical location straddling both the Mediterranean and the Red Seas that constitute two of the major enclosed coastal seas in the world. Egyptian coasts have a total length of about 1630 Ian in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. A large part of the coastal areas in Egypt is contaminated with oil from various sources. Shipping activity contributes significantly to the current situation regarding oil pollution of the country's territorial waters. The reasons for oil pollution in Egyptian waters are many, and Egyptian marine officers play a significant role in contributing to the pollution of the marine environment. This research examined the causes behind the prevailing lack of knowledge among Egyptian marine officers regarding oil pollution matters. The methodology adopted was the development of a questionnaire that was distributed to a sample of marine officers represented the overall situation among Egyptian marine officers. Through an analysis of the completed responses, a better understanding of the causes of oil pollution in Egyptian water was revealed. The analysis revealed that the lack of knowledge relating to international conventions, especially MARPOL 73/78, reflected the area of greatest ignorance. The potential damage resulting from oil spills holds the second position of greatest ignorance. The significance of ship/shore safety check lists and the existence of oil spill contingency plans occupy the third and forth positions respectively. This research has also focused on explaining the importance of each subject area identified for inclusion in the short course. It concludes with a recommended model for a short course curriculum aiming to assist those marine officers to have a greater appreciation for the importance of protecting the marine environment from oil pollution from ships.