ALCOAST 043/19 - FEB 2019 2020 INTERNATIONAL OIL SPILL CONFERENCE CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS

R 120850 FEB 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5R//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N16450//
ALCOAST 043/19
COMDTNOTE 16450
SUBJ:  2020 INTERNATIONAL OIL SPILL CONFERENCE CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS
1. CONFERENCE OVERVIEW:
   A. The next convening of the triennial International Oil Spill Conference
(IOSC) will be held in New Orleans, LA from May 11-14, 2020 at the Ernest N.
Morial Convention Center. The IOSC promotes a culture of proficiency and
preparedness across the oil spill response and incident management communities
in order to ensure the protection of the marine environment. It provides an
open forum for professionals from the international community, the private
sector, government, and non-governmental organizations to highlight and discuss
innovations and best practices across the spectrum of prevention, preparedness,
response, and restoration.
   B. In 1971, the USCG, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the
American Petroleum Institute (API) began a joint sponsorship of the IOSC.
Today’s IOSC permanent sponsorship team includes five additional domestic and
international organizations:
      (1) the International Maritime Organization (IMO),
      (2) the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA),
      (3) the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE),
      (4) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
      (5) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
With a 48-year track record of participation, the USCG serves on the Executive
Committee, provides the IOSC Program Chair, contributes to the development and
facilitation of the Technical Demonstration, showcases special capabilities on
the trade floor, and supports the international community's involvement by hosting
beneficiaries of the IOSC scholarship program. In addition, the Coast Guard provides
authors for papers and posters, and volunteer subject matter experts for reviewing
abstract, paper, and poster submissions.
    C. This ALCOAST discusses an important aspect of the IOSC technical
program: the 2020 Call for Papers and Posters. IOSC 2020 will entail several
other activities in addition to the poster and paper presentations. Please
visit the IOSC website at: www.iosc2020.org (via Google Chrome only)
periodically to find information and updates regarding the conference’s film
festival, short courses, guest speakers, trade show, and equipment
demonstrations. COMDT (CG-MER) will also release future guidance to support
USCG participation in the 2020 IOSC.
2. CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS:
   A. As an internationally recognized technical and policy forum, the IOSC
is seeking thematically related papers and posters for its 2020 convening. The
paper and poster presentations form the backbone of the IOSC’s technical
program and contribute to the vast canon of oil pollution knowledge shared
between the government, industry, and academia. Invited authors present their
respective papers or posters during speaker platforms or interactive sessions
scheduled during the IOSC. Authors will also have their work published in the
online IOSC Proceedings library, at www.ioscproceedings.com – an impressive
repository of over 3,500 papers and articles that have been presented in the
IOSC since 1969. The Call for Papers and Posters opened in January 2019 and
closes on May 15, 2019.
   B. Submitting papers and posters to the IOSC is an excellent opportunity
for Coast Guard enlisted, officer, and civilian personnel to build their
professional development and proficiencies within the Response and Prevention
communities. This conference marks the 10 and 30 year anniversaries of Deepwater
Horizon and Exxon Valdez. Many USCG policies and practices were shaped by these
two incidents, and the experiences and observations Coast Guard members had
either during response or in the aftermath of these events would make ideal
discussion papers for IOSC 2020. Other initiatives and incidents that Coast
Guard members have been part of should also be considered. Specific focus topics
to guide papers and posters can be found in the "Call for Papers" brochure. The
brochure is located within the IOSC 2020 website (Participate > Call for Papers
and Posters). 
3. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND ACCEPTANCE PROCESS:
   A. Prospective authors should visit the IOSC 2020 website or the COMDT (CG-MER)
Portal Page and follow the submission guidance contained within the Call for Papers
and Posters brochure.
   B. Before a paper or poster is invited for presentation at the IOSC, an author
must first submit a comprehensive abstract for consideration through the IOSC online
abstract management system. Abstracts may not exceed 400 words and will be judged on
relevance, uniqueness/originality, technical content, and clarity. Additional
information and submission procedures can be found in the "Call for Papers" brochure.
Authors whose abstracts are selected will be notified by August 2019. Guidelines for
paper and poster development will accompany the acceptance notices.
   C. USCG personnel who would like to volunteer in any capacity referred
to in paragraph 1.B. should contact the representatives listed in paragraph 4.
4. For questions on the abstract submission process or other IOSC details,
please contact CDR Wes James COMDT (CG-MER) at (202) 372-2136, or LT Adam Mosley
COMDT (CG-MER) at (202) 372-1508.
5. RDML Anthony J. Vogt, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy, sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.