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Navy Journal 2019

and gears including self-propelled skimmers (Heli skimmer) to operate in
shallow/ confined water. A comprehensive National Marine Pollution
Management Policy needs to be prepared and enforced immediately. Oil Spill
Dispersants (OSD) should to be purchased by all concerned agencies taking prior
approval of NMPMC. BCG needs to pursue procuring Helicopter for OSD
spraying and surveillance duties. Few support vessels (small Tug) / powerful
boats need to be procured to assist in laying booms. At the same time, all
seagoing ships of more than 400 MT and all oil handling agencies need to
prepare their contingency plan and carryout occasional exercises. Nevertheless,
to claim a safe and clean maritime environment all stake holders need to be
brought under same footing in compliance with MARPOL 73/78 and OPRC
convention 1992.
Conclusion

Bangladesh is only trying to urbanize for last few decades but the efforts to
prevent urban pollution of different forms in the coastal area is overlooked.
Although the attention in maritime sector of Bangladesh is getting an upswing
over the years but still not adequately focused specially in terms of regularity and
administrations. To pursue Blue Economy in support of Bangladesh Vision 2041,
a sustainable marine environment is mandatory. If we can assure proper
upbringing of maritime awareness, it will definitely bring a decent outcome in
near future. Bangladesh has ratified various international conventions, but no
inclusive national legislation has been adopted to enforce those conventions.
Environmental Conservation Act 1995 could be treated as the umbrella
legislation but it is not enough to comply with the terms and condition of
international conventions.
Oil spill pollution may be one of the crucial maritime threats to Bangladesh.
Although only small scale oil spill pollution occurred in Bangladesh so far.
However, with the growing demand of fuel supply in our country, a major oil
spill incident cannot be overruled. Bangladesh is trying to acquire desired
capability for responding oil spill incident in Bangladesh but it should be borne
in mind that it is not the responsibility of BN and BCG to clean up other’s
transgression. Therefore, a comprehensive efforts need to be taken to prepare all
concerned through regular exercises. It is obvious that pollution in the ocean may
not be arrested in short term approaches. So, long term vision need to be
considered in designing the Pollution Incident Prevention (PIP) plan, where the
pollution issues to be addressed sincerely. Priority action plans may be included

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