Oil spill response training day

Marlborough’s oil spill experts performed well during a recent training exercise in Waikawa Bay.

Harbourmaster, Captain Jake Oliver, said the drill involved a team responding to a simulated oil spill near the fuel dock in Waikawa Marina.

“The team developed a plan and dispatched the necessary equipment to deal with it,” he said. “Booms were used to close and seal the marina to prevent oil escaping into the bay.”

The exercise saw the Harbourmaster’s Tohara used along with Resolution and Tuangi.

Council maintains a regional oil spill response plan and capability with Maritime New Zealand.

Its team of 20, mainly from Council, Port Marlborough, Civil Defence and Coastguard, respond to any oil pollution incidents in the region and is trained by the Maritime New Zealand Marine Pollution Response Service.

After the exercise a thorough debrief was held and learning points noted.

“Maritime New Zealand provide a set of key performance indicators and tasks for the drill,” said Captain Oliver who was the Regional On Scene Commander. “For the drill we had one of the National On Scene Commanders overviewing the exercise.”

Crews preparing for the oil spill exercise in Waikawa

Crews show how they would contain an oil spill during the exercise