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iii Oil spill countermeasures are affected by weather such that, in some cases, these countermeasures cannot continue under adverse weather conditions. A literature review was carried out to determine if there were data related to the performance of all countermeasure techniques under varying weather conditions. Although the literature did not provide any quantitative guides for the performance of countermeasures under varying weather conditions, data could be extracted to enable assessment of changes in their performance related to weather conditions. Many estimates or traditional limits are found in the literature, but these vary considerably and may not be useful. Wind and wave height are the most important factors influencing countermeasures. These two factors are related and, given sufficient time for the sea to become ‘fully-arisen’, can be inter-converted. These factors must sometimes be considered separately, however, so that specific weather effects can be examined. Other weather conditions affecting countermeasures include currents and temperature. Currents are the critical factor for certain countermeasures suc