SCAA Announcements (Achievements, Highlights, and Notices)

IOSC 2027 Call for Abstracts: As an internationally recognized technical and policy forum, the International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) invites submissions of abstracts for thematically related paper, poster and special session presentations for the upcoming conference in Savannah, Georgia, from May 17-20, 2027.

The paper and poster presentations serve as the foundation of IOSC’s technical program, significantly contributing to the comprehensive body of pollution incident knowledge, exchanged among government, industry, and academia.

The IOSC legacy is a comprehensive set of proceedings of peer reviewed papers and posters. New for 2027, the opportunity will be available for a limited number of presentations on selected topics that will not require a paper. Selected authors will present their work during scheduled speaker platform or interactive sessions at IOSC. Authors and presenters can submit abstracts through the Submission portal. Abstract Submissions accepted until May 31, 2026

For more details, Visit the IOSC Website

We extend our deepest gratitude to SCAA Immediate Past President Angie Martin, Arcwood Environmental, for her dedicated service to SCAA who also made SCAA history as the Association's first woman President.

It was our privilege to honor SCAA Past President Brian House for his steadfast dedication to SCAA—not only as a long-time member, Director, Officer, and Committee Chair, but also as Executive Director from 2022 to 2024. His commitment to the organization and his call to action based on the SCAA Pillars—Advocacy, Education, and Engagement—serve as an inspiration to us all.

Great Lakes Oil Spill Center of Expertise (GLCOE) funding opportunities open each March. To view recently completed and ongoing project please review the GLCOE Quarterly Project Portfolio for Q1. Previous portfolios are available on our website for your reference. Please contact GLCOE at [email protected] for more information. 

BoatUS Foundation is looking for feedback in the planning for the development of a nationwide abandoned and derelict vessel (ADV) database. The ADV database is expected to not only pinpoint the locations of ADVs, but also improve tracking their removal while providing a clearer picture of the extent of the problem across the country. The goal is to provide a flexible platform for users to report, track, and visualize ADV locations and removals – which is especially important for communities who don’t have the capacity or capabilities to track the issue.

Agencies who currently report or collect ADV data or those in government, the marine industry, law enforcement, organizations such as environmental or boating groups as well as anyone who wants to improve the environment by removing unsightly vessels are urged to share feedback by December 17, 2024. Please note that all feedback is anonymous.

The ADV database is part of a four-year, $10 million grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant funding is also fueling a national competitive grant program for the removal of ADVs as well as hosting a national conference about boating-related debris disposal and includes focus on how ADVs impact waters in underserved communities.

Hurricane Milton: Many of our member companies are busy working their respective Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) or other internal mechanisms they have to plan and prepare for the impending landfall and impacts of Hurricane Milton. View SCAA message here.

Congratulations to SCAA-member company Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) for recently celebrating their 40th Anniversary! Since its founding, OSRL has grown to being recognized as a world-leader in oil spill prevention and response. Today, OSRL operates out of 12 locations globally, and is supported by more than 275 employees that provide critical response service for 45 member companies. Read more here.

NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) is excited to announce that John Tarpley was recently selected as Chief of OR&R’s Emergency Response Division (ERD). View announcement here.