Passing of Mr. Ben (Brian) Cropley
The International Spill Control Organisation (ISCO) regrets to inform the global spill response community of the passing of Mr. Ben “Brian” Cropley, founder and long‑serving CEO of the Oil Response Company of Australia (ORCA).
Ben passed away peacefully on 28 June 2026, shortly before his 80th birthday, with his family at his side.
Ben’s daughter, Narelle Ward, shared that he had been diagnosed in early May with an aggressive form of cancer, and that his final weeks were marked by the same courage, dignity, and determination that characterised his entire life. Her tribute speaks to the depth of their partnership and the profound personal and professional legacy he leaves behind.
Ben was one of Australia’s most experienced and respected operational oil spill responders. From his early days with the Port of Melbourne’s emergency response team, through the founding of ORCA in 1996, he trained more responders and attended more incidents than perhaps any other individual in the country. His influence extended across every Australian state and territory, and his technical collaboration with AMSA from 2003 onwards shaped national capability for decades.
A hallmark of Ben’s contribution was his absolute commitment to operational excellence. Every Standard Operating Procedure for spill response equipment used in Australia has, at some point, been written, modified, or improved by him. His meticulous care for equipment readiness, his willingness to innovate and “tinker” until something worked perfectly, and his belief that well‑trained responders were the decisive factor in incident duration made him a defining figure in practical spill response.
Ben was also a long‑standing supporter of ISCO. Ben, ORCA and more recently Narelle, carried the ISCO banner proudly at Spillcon conferences, strengthening international ties and ensuring Australia’s operational voice was heard globally. Many in the international community will remember Ben not only for his expertise, but for his unmistakable character: fearsomely hard‑working, able to fix anything anywhere, intolerant of pretence, and always ready to cut through noise with the clarity of someone who had spent a lifetime at the coal face. He also enjoyed, as many will recall fondly, the occasional beer at the end of a long day.
ISCO extends its deepest condolences to Narelle, the Cropley family, the ORCA team, and the wider Australian response community. Ben was immensely proud that ORCA’s future leadership rests with Narelle, and that his legacy will continue through her stewardship.
A celebration of Ben’s life will be held on Saturday 18 July at 1pm, at the Pirates Tavern, Williamstown, Victoria, on what would have been his 80th birthday. Friends, colleagues, and members of the spill response community are welcome to attend. RSVPs may be directed to Narelle ([email protected]).
Ben Cropley’s contribution to spill response—nationally and internationally—was exceptional. His legacy will endure in the people he trained, the standards he set, the equipment he perfected, and the organisation he built. He will be remembered with respect, gratitude, and affection across the global spill control community.
Rest peacefully, Ben. Your impact will be felt for generations.
