Booms deployed as part of oil-spill training

Otago Harbour was plugged at crucial points yesterday as part of a Maritime New Zealand training exercise aimed at stopping the spread of a simulated oil spill.

The scenario was a major spill of heavy fuel oil (HFO) from a ship after a collision with a fishing vessel near Ravensbourne wharf.

Thirteen representatives from regional and district councils around New Zealand converged on the Otago Yacht Club to deploy land/sea, harbour and rapid deployment booms aimed at protecting the Otago Yacht Club boat harbour and the Water of Leith.

Otago Regional Council technical adviser Lyndon Taylor said the exercise was one of three held around the country each year by Maritime New Zealand to train Maritime New Zealand and regional councils' staff how to contain oil spills.

A small boat and booms were used to block the entrance to the boat harbour and the Water of Leith yesterday.