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Department of Ecology News Release - June 17, 2009
09-145
OLYMPIA – The Department of Ecology (Ecology) and U.S. Coast Guard are currently evaluating the ability of seven different oil shipping and oil handling companies to effectively use site-specific oil-spill response strategies for Commencement Bay and Vashon Island. These are called geographic response plans.
No oil has been spilled. However, spill containment boom has been set out in Quartermaster Harbor and five oil-skimming vessels, a helicopter and other boats are involved in the drill.
The equipment deployment exercise includes ConocoPhillips Polar Tankers, Harley Marine Services, Inc., BP Shipping, SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., Alaska Tanker Co., Sound Refining, and U.S. Oil & Refining Co.
The drill also involves equipment and personnel from the Marine Spill Response Corp., a private, non-profit spill-response contractor for the seven oil companies.
All of the companies operate in central Puget Sound and maintain mandatory oil-spill contingency plans that spell out how they will respond to oil spills – including using geographic response plans tailored to reduce the effects of oil spills to sensitive natural, cultural and economic resources in an area.
Ecology evaluates the spill readiness plans, which are tested through announced and unannounced spill drills. The spill drills test how well the companies implement their plans.
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Media contact: Curt Hart, 360-407-6990; cell, 360-480-7908 (char461@ecy.wa.gov)
Information about oil spill prevention, preparedness and response: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html
More information about geographic response plans:
Frequently Asked Questions: Geographic Response Plan
FAQ: How Geographic Response Plans are Developed
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
