Eric Esclamadon

Deputy-Superintendent, Readiness and Response, Marine Environmental and Hazard Response (MERH)

Canadian Coast Guard -  Marine Environmental and Hazards Response (CCG-MEHR)

In charge of the Readiness and Response aspects of the Environmental Response program on the St-Lawrence sector (mostly Quebec). On a daily function, I coordinate the team and ensure that the team is always ready to respond. On pollution incident responses, I act as Incident Commander on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard. Once the incident is over, I play a role in creating a cost recovery file for the incident, when needed.  Once the pollution treat is over, I apply the Wrecked, Abandoned and Hazardous Vessel Act (WAHVA) and work on the wreck.

The St-Lawrence sector team has 6 work units; I oversee all of them.

The Planning work unit plan activities, such as area planning. On responses, the planning section analyzes the situation to understand the issues, and develop an action plan to respond to the incident.

The Operations work unit perform the tactical assignment required in the field, either by doing the job themselves, by using contractors or coordinating other CCG assets.

The Logistics work unit is responsible for our equipment depots and for finding any resources needed for an incident.

The Liaison work unit is responsible for maintaining good relations with internal and external organizations, both between and during incidents.

The Health and Safety and Resource Readiness work unit is responsible for the Health and Safety of responders on responses, and for the readiness of our staff and equipment through operational training and exercising.

The WHAVA Coordination work unit ensures that ship owners take their responsibilities and address the issues caused by their vessel. When required, this team project-manage the disposal of wrecks.

Current research and/or projects

In my regular duties:

  • Lead an emergency response team;
  • Coordinate a response with partners;
  • Provide an incident action plan for a response.

In terms of innovation and research and development, I contribute, with colleagues from the team, to:

  • Developing a low-carbon emission and rapid response kit to respond to small oil spills;
  • Developing a spreading system to spray clay on an oil slick contained in ice to promote the natural dispersion of the product using the propellers of an icebreaker (oil-mineral aggregate);
  • Developing an incident management tool that captures the necessary information for marine pollutant incidents and support the responders in decision making (update of the regional RMS-Web application and development of the national CPIIR application);

Professional activities / interests

  • Marine spill response;
  • Course design;
  • Emergency response Exercise design;
  • Emergency management;
  • Marine environment.

Education and awards

  • Short program of undergraduate studies in Adult Learning, Télé-Université, 2015;
  • Marine Communication and Traffic Services Officer Training Program, Canadian Coast Guard College, 2004;
  • M. Sc. in Marine Resources Management (environmental profile), Université du Québec à Rimouski, 2003;
  • B. Sc. in Marine Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 2001.

Key publications

  • Marine Spills Contingency Plan - Regional chapter (Central and Arctic) [2021]
  • Procedures Manual - CCG Pollution Response Officer [2019]
  • Post-Incident Review: Opération grille [Operation Grid], summer 2018 [2018]
  • Basics of Oil Spill Response Course (BOSRC-2017) - Reference and exercise manuals; and course training standards [2017]
  • Competency Profiles - Environmental Response [2013]
  • Marine Spill Response Operations Course (MSROC) - Reference Manual and training standards [2012]