"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."