Panel EC-7 conducted a worldwide survey monkey survey that investigates attitudes with regard to vessel pollution both within and outside the maritime community.
The survey ran for a year and the report (see link below) on the first year's results has been published. Results for the period from August 25, 2010 until August 08, 2011 have been collated and analyzed by Mr. Ed Schembor, a senior at Red Bank Regional High School. In addition to this achievement, Ed is also the recipient of the Horizon Lines "Horizon Green" initiative student stipend for 2011 (see Student Stipend page).
The panel's preliminary research found that while environmental management has penetrated into today's ship operations, the underlying training and knowledge for environmental management is limited.
Analysis of the survey and statistical data is always a complex process and there can be substantial variation in interpretation from analyst to analyst. Ed's full analysis paper regarding the survey results and the supporting data set are attached to this webpage below, but in summary the following points are provided that in the opinion of the EC-7 panel are significant and appear to be supported by the survey data:
- There are no widely varying opinions between maritime industry sectors; instead opinions tend to be scattered throughout all sectors.
- The public thinks that maritime industry pollution is a much higher portion of ocean pollution than it is generally acknowledged to be and education of the public about this issue would be worthwhile.
- The survey indicates that teaching people about the general MARPOL approach first is a good approach at driving higher general understanding of maritime issues, rather than getting into the nitty gritty of OWS, OCM and other acronyms. This finding was also supported in some other recent work that involved panel EC-7 and relates to both the public at large an the marine industry at large. The maritime industry is doing a pretty good job, the public does not know and first explaining MARPOL appears to be the most effective approach.
- OWS equipment can work, but it is not easy equipment to use.
- Training appears to be able to deal with a lot of OWS issues that are encountered.
- People are not born environmentalists; they become environmentalists.
- There is insufficient awareness of environmental issues by ship designers, repairers and builders.
The full paper and the survey data can be accessed through the links below:
EC-7's next effort will deal with a best practices analysis for environmental compliance, and expects to publish a report on this by the end of summer 2012.