A dummy ‘oil spill’ has been carried out in a major yachting harbour to
test the effectiveness of damage limitation measures. Harbour Commissioners at
Poole prteneded a ferry and a cargo vessel collided, causing fuel to spill from
the tank of the cargo vessel.

PHC worked in collaboration with more than 15 organisations, including
the MCA, Environment Agency and local authorities to carry out the exercise.

As part of the response, a number of booms were deployed in the Little
and Backwater channels. In a real oil spill situation, the boom would stop any
oil flowing into sensitive and environmental areas of the harbour. A skimmer
was also deployed to show how the oil would be captured.