the direction and speed of other vessels in the area within a matter of 

 seconds. Many supertankers today use the latest satellite navigation and 

 communications systems, which can function under any atmospheric conditions 

 and at any distance from shore. 



To handle small oil spills that occur at refineries, terminals, and 

 other facilities, major petroleum companies maintain their own equipment 

 and materials. Many companies cooperate with other local and private groups 

 to form "oil spill clean-up cooperatives." Since 1967, some 100 cooperatives 

 have been formed in coastal areas of the United States and on major inland 

 waterways and harbors. 



Like volunteer fire departments, these cooperatives purchase and pool 

 equipment and resources, establish a system of communications, and adopt 

 emergency plans to handle various situations. The cooperatives work closely 

 with the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Corps of 

 Engineers, and local fire and environmental groups. Equipment includes various 

 types of booms and barriers to contain a spill, skimmers and sorbent-handling 

 equipment to remove oil from the water, pumps and portable generators, com- 

 munications systems, helicopters, motor boats, and skiffs, pollution equip- 

 ment trailers, and bird rescue and cleaning materials. 



Oil spill cooperatives have demonstrated an ability to respond promptly 

 and effectively in sheltered waters or in the open seas under relatively 

 calm conditions. They also provide a good means for providing training and 

 experience, which may help limit potential dangers to property and wildlife 

 in future spills. 



Under the National Oil Spill and Hazardous Materials Contingency Plan, 

 the responsibility for the supervision and coordination of emergency efforts 

 to save wildlife fouled by oil is vested in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

 working in cooperation with State wildlife agencies. This arrangement is 

 both proper and legal, and it is industry's intention to support the Service 

 in any way possible. 



The petroleum industry has long supported legislation for the establishment 

 of a huge "superfund," which could be used immediately to handle expenses 

 involved in the cleanup of spills. The fund would be replenished by the 

 spiller. In the meantime, I know of no spill involving an American oil 

 company in which the company did not immediately cover all expenses for 

 cleanup, including the rehabilitation of wildlife. 



Beginning with the Santa Barbara oil spill in January 1969, API initiated 

 various research projects and other efforts to solve the many complex biological 

 problems that occur in achieving high bird survival levels and a rapid return 

 to the wild at reasonable costs. 



The API first asked Professor Philip Stanton to begin a research program 

 on cleaning and caring for oiled birds at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center 

 at Upton, Massachusetts. Since then, Professor Stanton has continued his 

 research efforts in this area and has been at the scene of various spills 



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