Left to right. Marnus Ehlers (Rubis),Dustin Kersey (Rubis), Ellington Forbes (NRA), James Herbert (NRA), Richard Simms (DEH), Nathan Dack (Regiment), Chris Rivers (NRA), David Broughton (HMCI), Roy Charlton (RCIFS), Brad Hunt (Rubis), D. Randy Rankin (RCIFS), Ian Yearwood (RCIPS), Matthew Simmons (OSRL), Tim Austin (DOE), Andres Barthel (Rubis, front), Martin Vander Touw (DOE, back), Windell Scott (NRA), Sean Haye (NRA), Corey Nelms (NRA), Stacie Sybersma (Ministry of Health), Michael Hernandez (OSRL), Brian Chin Yee (NRA), Gregory Campeau (Rubis).  Not pictured: Robert Scotland (CICG), Aliya Dunstan (HMCI).

George Town, Grand Cayman – September 12, 2024 – Rubis Cayman Islands Limited (RCIL) hosted a 3-day workshop from August 6^th to the 8^th with Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) from Ft Lauderdale, Florida. The goal of the workshop was geared towards industry partners in the fuel and oil industry to have a cohesive understanding of the roles & responsibilities needed in the case an event took place.

Normally the table-top exercises are geared towards a maritime fuel spill/release. However, RCIL felt the importance of changing it up a bit and depicting a landside incident for the exercise. This being a fuel truck roll-over, specifically at Hurley’s round-a-bout. This was chosen as the location due to the amount of traffic at this location as well as the amount of fuel trucks on the Cayman roads. “RCIL understands & recognize that there is a gap and that the possibility of a road incident is very real.” said Mr. Greg Campeau HSE and Training Manager for Rubis.

Over the 3 days of sessions with OSRL, there were several in depth discussion with regards to maritime protections. These include what services were offered to members of OSRL, assessment of the  RCIL Cayman Brac Facilities, what are the main differences of impact & clean up methods between crude & white oils (aviation, diesel and gasoline) and how white oils evaporate, and the impacts of passing vessels. 

Participants in the workshop included local & regional Rubis staff as well as members of several government & statutory bodies including the CI Coast Guard, NRA, RCIFS, DEH, DOE, HMCI, CI Regiment, RCIPS.

“This 3-day workshop was a great opportunity for both RCIL and the relevant Government agencies to understand in more detail the local capacities in terms of responding to an incident of this nature and by also identifying some areas of improvement as well as practicing this type of scenarios to be better prepared to respond in a more effective and efficient way. “,” said Andres Barthel, Managing Director of Rubis Cayman Islands. ” 

‘Training such as this, across public and private sector stakeholders is essential to ensure rapid and effective response in times of crisis. As national co-ordinators of all major incidents, HMCI were delighted to take part in this workshop, organised by Rubis and delivered by OSRL, to ensure that the Cayman Islands is adequately prepared for oil spill related incidents. Although unlikely, without sufficient preparation and response, these incidents can have significant detrimental effects on people and environment., said HMCI Deputy Director David Broughton.

“The 3-day workshop was a great example of collaboration and cooperation between the private and government sector of the Cayman Islands. Activities like these are key in building oil spill preparedness and response capacity and help forge relationships in the country that can be essential during emergency responses. The workshop spurred the momentum that will lead to continued improvements in the ability for the Cayman Islands to actively respond to different spill scenarios, and Oil Spill Response Limited looks forward to engaging with Rubis and the Cayman Islands to support that endeavor.” Michael Hernandez, Oil Spill Response Limited.

For more information about Rubis Cayman Islands, visit www.rubiscaymanislands.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.