How to Use Current for Safe Effective Boom & Anchor Deployments
I started in the oil spill response industry with Slickbar Products Corporation in 1989, building equipment such as Solid Flotation Boom (SFB), Manta Ray Skimmers coupled with our Hose Floats to support the suction hose during skimming operations that were used during the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska.
Early on in my career I learned that selecting the proper oil spill response equipment i.e. oil containment booms, oil skimmers, oil storage tanks, etc., based upon the specific environmental condition was paramount to the success of an efficient operation.
More so have learned that simple tips and techniques from what you may believe are very easy tasks are extremely important for field operations because if done improperly can lead to critical time being wasted during an emergency situation, frustration or personnel injury.
Deploying an oil containment boom anchor system in a lake, pond or in a bay is very, very different from deploying an anchor system in a fast flowing river environment. Why? The main reason is specifically the ”current”. The more current in a river the more difficult the deployment of the anchor system; however, if you use the current to your advantage you can help make the deployment much easier. For instance, deploying the boom from shoreline and allowing current to take boom into position or when towing boom in a river do it parallel to the current past your intended anchor point then allowing the current to float the boom into its anchor point.
There are various boom deployment methods or options including Deflection booming, Open Chevron booming, Closed Chevron booming, Inverted Chevron booming. Below are some animations which visually describe each of the methods.
"In conclusion, all are correct and can be used in a variety of environmental conditions. Take your time, think about each maneuver, communicate clearly to your team and be safe!"
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