A multi-agency counter pollution exercise is being led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Falmouth, Cornwall this week.
The mock incident, which takes place between Wednesday 7 and Friday 10 October, tests a multi-agency response to an oil spill. No real oil or real dispersant spray will be used.
The UK’s counter-pollution response contractor Ambipar will be on site, alongside partner agencies including Falmouth Harbour and port operators A&P Falmouth. Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) will also be conducting searches of nearby beaches to investigate, assess and track the results of simulated contamination.
A small flotilla of vessels has been positioning equipment and mobilising response teams for the three-day event. Hundreds of metres of floating spill containment booms have been deployed, alongside specialist equipment which skims the water surface to remove contaminants.
The exercise has been developed by the MCA’s Counter-Pollution and Salvage team, who provide a UK-wide counter pollution response, from large-scale incidents involving extensive national resources, to smaller incidents requiring specialist expertise.
MCA Head of Counter-Pollution and Salvage, Stan Woznicki, said: “Large-scale training exercises ensure that our teams, partner organisations and colleagues can put their expertise to the test in a simulated ‘real world’ scenario.
“Our response is designed to protect people, the offshore, near shore and coastal environment, and property. It will field test our pollution containment and recovery equipment, our flexibility in response and our ability to manage the logistical complications that often arise when multiple organisations and resources work together closely.”
A spokesperson for A&P Falmouth said: “A&P Falmouth was delighted to work with the MCA and wider authorities and play its part in delivering such a worthwhile drill. A&P Falmouth has strong connections with the MCA and is experienced at supporting ship owners, insurers and the authorities with marine casualty situations, most recently an incident in which A&P tugs towed a vessel to A&P facilities for assessment and repair.
“Other examples have included shifted cargo re-storing, collision damage repairs and propulsion and steering repairs to vessels alongside and in dock.”
