Igor Kuzmenko from Lithuanian NAVY Brings Wealth of Experience to OIL SPILL (3/3)

Klaipėda University (KU) works in close collaboration with the NAVY of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in oil spill response. The latter is the main authority responsible for the search & rescue and pollution response operations and coordination, but KU manages the expert training, joint research, and cultural cooperation. Both intitutions participate in all of these activities.

Igor Kuzmenko knows this collaboration pattern well. He is an Advisor at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center of the NAVY, but, since 2012, he has worked part-time in the oil spill and hazardous substances related projects coordinated by Klaipėda University. He is a project expert in OIL SPILL, too, and brings a wealth of know-how to the team.

Indeed, Igor has more than 15 years of experience in the field of maritime safety and environmental protection. During the last ten years, he has been actively involved in the organization and evaluation of both national and international oil spill response exercises. Igor is also an official Lithuanian representative and member of European Maritime Safety Agency Consultative Technical Group for Marine Pollution Preparedness and Response (CTG MPPR), Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) for pollution response and prevention at sea (RESPONSE), and HELCOM Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance (IWGAS).

Igor’s significant practical experience and knowledge are of major importance within the OIL SPILL activities, such as the evaluation of needs for new training scenarios, developing and testing them, and the assessment of the available training capacities.

Text: Sergej Suzdalev / Klaipėda University