API PUBL 4686B-1999

FOREWORD: This 1999 International Oil Spill
Conference is the 16th biennial event since the first conference
held in December 1969. The conference is sponsored jointly by the
following:

American Petroleum Institute (MI)

United States Coast Guard (USCG)

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation
Association (IPIECA)

The theme of the conference, "Beyond 2000-Balancing
Perspectives," reflects on the milestones and achievements to this
point while stressing the importance of balancing perspectives of
all stakeholders as we look beyond the year 2000. Our goal remains
"…to delineate the overall dimensions of the oil spill problem,
explore the present state of prevention and control of oil spills,
and review the relevant research and development efforts of
government and private industry around the world."

This conference continues to be the world's premier symposium on
oil spill issues. We continue to push the envelope of our
performance to bring you better conferences. This year saw the
introduction of a conference CD-ROM for all attendees. In the
CD-ROM, we included abstracts extending back to 1969 and full
Proceedings for 1995-1999. This modern research aid is our largest
searchable database ever.

The sponsors of this conference thank each of the authors and
reviewers of the papers that constitute these proceedings. Special
thanks to those who provided meeting space for several key
meetings. We also thank all panel members, session chairs, course
instructors, and members of planning committees, along with all
others who have made extraordinary contributions to ensure a
successful conference.