The Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest lake system in Europe. Inland waterways of Saimaa are considered as a part of the main transport corridor in the trans-European transport network and is also exposed to the risk of land-based oil-discharges.
Inland oil spill response management model is based on the results of risk analysis on transportation and storage of oils in Lake Saimaa district, and the oil drift calculation models produced for identified high-risk locations. Modelling enables creation of scenario-based, site-specific contingency plans crucial for inland waters where response strategy is to be selected in a very short space of time. In Saimaa waterways where shores are near, window of opportunity to conduct an effective on-water response is further reduced due to the fast currents. In order to facilitate identification of vulnerable areas and establishing protection priorities and response strategy, management model includes easy-to-use decision support tools for response managers and on-scene response teams. Risk assessments, planning spill response logistics including transportation and storage points, mapping sensitive areas and species are all carried out during this project to operate as a frame to preparedness planning. Project results are gathered in a web-based manual.
SÖKÖSaimaa project is initiated by the regional oil spill authorities. It is a joint effort of designated spill response specialists representing the the Rescue Services of South Karelia, North Karelia, South Savo and North Savo together with the Finnish Transport Agency, the Emergency Service College, the Finnish Environment Institute and the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of South Savo, North Savo, North Karelia and Southeast Finland (ELY Centres).
Project is funded by Finnish Oil Pollution Compensation Fund of the Ministry of the Environment, Xamk, Rescue services of South Karelia, North Karelia, South Savo and North Savo, Reijo Rautauoma Foundation, William and Ester Otsakorpi Foundation and Finnish Maritime Foundation.
Publications:
- SÖKÖSaimaa 2018. SÖKÖSaimaa -manuaali, Öljyntorjunnan toimintamalli Saimaan syväväylälle. Halonen, J.; Altarriba, E. & Rantavuo, E. (toim.) Xamk Kehittää 42. Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu, Kotka. ISBN 978-952-344-084-5, ISBN (verkkojulkaisu) 978-952-344-085-2. Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-344-085-2.
- Öljyntorjunnan toimintamallin kehittäminen Saimaan syväväylälle. SÖKÖSaimaa-hankkeen taustaselvitykset ja loppuraportti. Halonen, J. (toim.) Xamk Kehittää 64. Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu, Kotka. ISBN 978-952-344-137-8 (nid.), ISBN 978-952-344-138-5 (pdf). Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-344-138-5
- Halonen, J. & Kauppinen, J. 2017. Scenario-based Oil Spill Response Model for Saimaa Inland Waters. Full Paper in Maritime Transportation and Harvesting of Sea Resources, Volume 1. Edit. Soares, C.G. & Teixeira, Ã.P. Proceedings of IMAM 2017, 17th International Congress of the International Maritime Association of the Mediterranean. Lontoo: Tailor & Francis Group. ISBN 978-0-8153-7993-5. pp. 305-312. Available: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2019092429674
- Altarriba, E. 2017. Öljyn leviämisen estimointi arviointitaulukoiden avulla osana operatiivista öljyntorjuntatyötä Saimaalla. Xamk Tutkii 2, Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu. ISBN 978-952-344-043-2. Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-344-043-2.
- Pitkäaho, M.; Veneskari, T.; Rantavuo, E.; Nevalainen, J.; Halonen, J. & Norema, S. 2018. Operational Profile of Commercially Available RPA Systems in Nearshore Oil Spill Response. Short Paper. Interspill 2018 Conference 13-15.3.2018, Lontoo.
- Altarriba, E.; Halonen, J. & Silmäri, J. 2018. Oil Spill Response Planning on Lake Saimaa – Special Features and Comprehensive Preparedness. Short Paper. Interspill 2018 Conference 13-15.3.2018, Lontoo.
- Halonen, J. 2018. Kriittisen nopeuden käsite öljyvuodon puomituksessa. Teoksessa Liikkeellä, Toimintaa ja tuloksia Logistiikan ja merenkulun tutkimus- ja kehitystoiminnasta. Halonen, J. & Potinkara, P. (Eds.) Xamk Kehittää 60. Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu, Kotka. ISBN 978-952-344-125-5. Sivut 92-99. Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-344-126-2
- Halonen, J.; Punnonen, J. & Nevalainen, J. 2018. Harjoitus tekee mestarin – Kokemuksia öljyntorjuntaharjoituksista Saimaalta. Teoksessa Liikkeellä, Toimintaa ja tuloksia Logistiikan ja merenkulun tutkimus- ja kehitystoiminnasta. Halonen, J. & Potinkara, P. (Eds.) Xamk Kehittää 60. Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu, Kotka. ISBN 978-952-344-125-5. Sivut 110-119. Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-344-126-2
