CEPPOL (Centre d'expertises pratiques antipollution)

The Amoco Cadiz disaster was the catalyst for the creation of CEPPOL. The sinking of this cargo ship off the coast of Brittany in 1978 is remembered as one of the worst oil spills in history. In a bid to improve the response to pollution at sea, France set up a research commission 30 years ago, tasked with optimising knowledge of the risks and proposing appropriate means of countering such pollution. This body, which has now become the centre of practical expertise in pollution response, provides its expertise to maritime prefects and government delegates overseas and is responsible for response at sea.

To test CEPPOL's teams and procedures, a number of exercises are scheduled throughout the year, involving vessels in difficulty presenting a risk of pollution at sea.