b'including government agencies, non-governmental orga- orwaterandshoreareatowhich,forsafetyorenviron-nizations(NGOs),privatecontractors,goodSamaritans, mental purposes, access is limited to authorized persons, and international partners. The OSC ensures these entitiesvehicles,orvessels.work together cohesively by implementing the incidentcommand system (ICS). 4. Communicate, communicate, communicateTheOSCprovidingreal-time,on-sceneinformationtothe3. Take care of your people SMC is essential. The OSC manages situational awareness MROs at sea are risky. The OSC must ensure the safetytools,providesbriefings,andensurestransparencywithallof the responders and the those needing rescue. This in- involvedparties,includingthemediawhennecessary.cludesevaluatinghazards,enforcingsafetyprotocols,andadaptingresponsetacticstoevolvingconditionsonscene. The SMC must also provide to the OSC, clear taskingToo often, many recreational boaters will try to assist in theand any support the OSC requires on-scene. And if this response, which is good, but too often can further compli- does not take place, then the OSC must seek guidance and catethesituation,withanoverwhelmingnumberofvessels direction from the SMC. Failure to do so can potentially on scene. delay the response and further complicate the situation. The OSC must communicate to the SMC in regard to5. Environmental Protection and Mitigationestablishing a safety zone to ensure safe and efficient oper- Inpollutionorhazardousmaterialevents,theOSCevalu-ations. A safety zone is defined as a water area, shore area,atesenvironmentalimpactandworkswithscientificsup-21 AUGUST 2025'