Both the office of the president and of the managing director, having ultimate responsibility for the Port Authority of Castellón, take on the commitment to ensure the health and personal safety in the port, as well as the protection of the port itself and the environment.

The Interior Emergency Plan (PEI) or the Self Protection Plan for the Port of Castellón, makes provision for the necessary means and equipment so that the port is adequately prepared for any circumstances where human life may be at risk or there is the possibility of damage to property or the environment.

The Interior Emergency Plan is coordinated with the Emergency Plans developed by the various concessions within the port and which have there own self protection plans. Subsequently, in accordance with article 124 of R.D. 145/1989, the Exterior Emergency Plan of Castellón will be integrated into the Exterior Emergency plan in port areas. The integration of both plans will made via a common document which will establish the procedures by which information will be shared and the corresponding actions that will be taken together.

The objectives of the Interior Emergency plan  are:

• Self protection in Service areas not held in concession..
• Coordination with the concessions in case of any emergency in these areas.
• Coordination with the Harbour Master’s Office if the emergency involves a vessel.
• Integration and coordination of the Emergency Plans at both local and regional levels.

With respect to possible emergencies in the Service Area depending on the PAC, the Interior Emergency Plan of the Port of Castellón defines the organizational structure , responsibilities, communications and means both from inside and outside the port which may be needed so that that they can be brought into action in the most efficient way possible:

• Prevent, as far as possible, any emergency situation.
• Control and monitor safely any event which might produce an emergency.
• Ensure personal safety and health and protect the environment.
• Minimize any damage to installations or environment.

The degree to which the plan is adhered to will be evaluated through exercises and drills which will guarantee the maximum effectiveness of the plan.

The R.D. 393/2007, which approves the Basic Regulations for Self Protection, in centres establishments and properties where the activities carried out may produce emergency situations, establishes the following obligations on those responsible for carrying out those activities:

1. Draw up a plan of Self Protection according to the minimum defined in Annex II and the criteria contained in section 3.3
2. Present the Self protection Plan to the department of Public Administration with the authority to issue a licence or permission for activity to be a carried out.
3. Put in place everything needed to allow the plan to be properly executed if necessary.
4. Send to the corresponding registry the data indicated in Annex IV
5. Inform and train personnel about the contents of the self Protection Plan.
6. Provide the necessary information that will allow the Self Protection Plan to be integrated with other such plans at a higher level, i.e. the Interior Emergency Plan and the plans of the department of ‘Civil Protection’.
7. Inform the office that issued the licence of any change or modification to the self protection plan.
8. Collaborate with the relevant authorities within the framework of the relevant Civil Protection regulations.
9. Inform the Port Authority in good time, of any drills which are to take place.

When the plan is set up, a certificate will be issued which establishes which offices of the Public Administration are competent in this matter.

All concessions and authorisations in the service area of the port, should have their action plans and coordinate these with the Interior Emergency Plan.

Any incident which makes it necessary to activate the Emergency Plan in any concession or authorisation situated in the service area of the port, must be communicated immediately to the Emergency Control Centre of the port Authority, telephone 964 737 202.

Coordination with the concessions.

The PAC has adopted the following prevention and control measures in the case of accident in concession areas:

• The requirement to follow the regulations concerning material for self protection in each of the concessions and authorisations.
• The requirement to have Safety Studies and Emergency Plans in concessions in which dangerous materials are stored or handled (affected by R.D. 145/1989).
• Application of the Self Protection plans of other concessions in the port which are also affected by the Basic Regulations of Self Protection, or other specific regulation to be applied in this situation.
• Transfer to the Interior Emergency Plan of the Port of Castellón of results obtained by concessions identifying and evaluating accident risk.
• Coordination between relevant Civil Protection authorities and concessions that may be affected by emergencies.

Coordination between the Port Authority and the Harbour Master’s Office

According to the regulation established in article 128 of R.D. 145/1989, when a vessel is involved in an emergency or at risk of suffering an emergency, full control of operations taken thereafter will be taken by the Harbour Master’s Office.

On that basis, the Interior Emergency Plan will take the following aspects into consideration:

• Coordination between the Harbour Master’s Office and the PAC, with the aim of examining incidents or accidents involving vessels in the service area of the PAC.
• For the PAC to be at the disposition of the Harbour Master’s Office to provide support in the case of an emergency involving a vessel and vice versa. Additionally, in an emergency involving an oil spill in the waters of the service area of the port this will be handled according to the Interior Maritime Plan of the Port Authority of Castellón.

Integration and coordination of emergency plans and civil protection plans at a local and regional level  (Regional Plans, Special Plans and Exterior Emergency Plan).

• Collaboration with competent authorities in Civil Protection matters for the development and implantation of the Exterior Emergency plan of the Port.
• Immediate notification of competent authorities in Civil Protection matters in case of any emergency in the port.
• To act under the coordination and direction of the competent authorities in Civil Protection matters as it is laid out in the Exterior Emergency Plan of the Port.