The mock incident, which took place between Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 October, tested a multi-agency response to an oil spill. No real oil or real dispersant spray was used.
The UK’s counter-pollution response contractor Ambipar were on site, alongside partner agencies including Falmouth Harbour and port operators A&P Falmouth. Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) also conducted searches of nearby beaches to investigate, assess and track the results of simulated contamination.
A small flotilla of vessels positioned equipment and mobilised response teams for the three-day event. Hundreds of metres of floating spill containment booms were deployed, alongside specialist equipment which skims the water surface to remove contaminants.
The exercise was 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.
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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.”
