NEWS: Successful week-long training in Sarajevo
A week-long training took place in Sarajevo, held from 15 to 19 September 2025, and was organised by project partner ATRAC and hosted by the Faculty of Traffic and Communications at the University of Sarajevo. It represented an important step in improving oil spill preparedness and response in the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The week of training can be divided into two separate sessions; the first training took place over the course of three days, from the 15th to 17th of September, and brought together at-sea responders and experts for a programme that combined theory, practical examples, and interactive exercises; the second training took place over the course of two days, from the 18th to the 19th, and gathered responders to teach them about shoreline clean-up.
Day 1:
The training began with an introduction to the course itself and the ASAP project. Sessions covered:
- Sources and impacts of oil spills
- Contingency planning and preparedness
- Incident management structures
- Health and safety in oil spill response
Participants engaged in active discussions, sharing experiences and perspectives to enhance mutual learning.
Day 2:
The second day focused on technical aspects of oil spill response. Topics included:
- Spill assessment methods
- Use of response equipment: booms, skimmers, sorbents, dispersants
- Temporary storage solutions
- Video demonstrations and practical examples
The day also highlighted the importance of teamwork and coordination, with a focus on joint action and effective communication during emergencies.
Day 3:
Although the training was held inland, the third day featured a practical simulation exercise. Instructors created a realistic marine incident scenario using classroom materials and visual aids to simulate:
- Boom deployment
- Skimmer operation
- Temporary storage handling
This hands-on approach allowed participants to apply their knowledge, test coordination and decision-making, and build operational confidence in a controlled environment.
Day 4:
On the 18th of September, the Shoreline Clean-up training took place, and it covered:
- Sources of oil spills
- Fate and behaviour of oil in the marine and shoreline environment
- Environmental and economic impacts of oil spills
- Principles of incident management
Day 4’s session also provided a highlight of key aspects of health and safety when dealing with shoreline oil spill cleanups.
Day 5:
The last day of training opened with an introduction to more practical approaches to response using technical instruments (booms, skimmers, and sorbents). It then covered the following topics:
- Shoreline types and sensitivity
- SCAT methodology for shoreline assessment and clean-up
- Worksite organisation and safety
- Wildlife response
The training concluded with an overview of shoreline clean-up techniques and temporary storage options, and watched a video on shoreline clean-up methods.
The training was a great success, bringing together participants from across the region to exchange knowledge, build practical skills, and strengthen cooperation in marine pollution response. ATRAC will organise two additional training sessions in the coming months (Montenegro, 27-31 October 2025 and Albania, Q1 2026 TBC) to further support capacity-building efforts within the ASAP project.