A model for determining the optimal location of recovery resources is developed and applied to coastal Massachusetts. An optimal location pattern is one that minimizes the expected damage from unrecovered oil. Such a location was dependent on three factors: (1) The sensitivity of coastal zone resources to unrecovered oil, (2) the probability of one or more spills within a coastal zone, and (3) the rate of recovery in alternative zones given an initial location of recovery resources. Nine hypothetical situations were constructed relating to possible petroleum finds on Georges Bank and onshore developments in Southeastern Massachusetts. The location of recovery packages was determined for each situation. Preliminary analysis would indicate southern Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket to be underprotected and priority areas for the location of recovery resources. Woods Hole would be considered a desirable location for such resources in that it affords relatively rapid deployment times to adjacent high‐risk coastal zones. Boston Harbor was selected as the location of the second recovery package and, if three packages were available, Plymouth would be chosen for the third package. On the basis of rough estimates of damage reduction three to seven major recovery packages would appear justifiable. A desirable financial/operational arrangement would include a recovery system financed from federal revenue generated by bonus bids and production royalties with recovery operations contracted to private firms.