Media Release

29 August 2014

Marine Oil Spill Exercise at Napier Port

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will be undertaking its annual marine oil spill exercise in and beside Napier Port on Monday 1 September 2014.

Under the Maritime Transport Act, HBRC is required to respond to oil spills that occur within the coastal marine area in Hawke’s Bay, and is required to run exercises every year. The aim ofMonday’s exercise will be to test the equipment in the shallower water of Sandy Beach on Breakwater Road on the edge of the Port entrance. (Marked by a star in map below)

HBRC Regional On-Scene Commander Ian Lilburn says Monday’s exercise will focus on deploying and training the team on the use of various pieces of oil spill equipment, like skimmers used to collect oil, as well as practicing containment of a spill.

The scenario for the exercise involves trying to contain a large amount of diesel spilt in the water after an accident.

As this is an exercise, there will be no oil in the water, but the public will see oil spill equipment being used including booms, skimmers and frame tanks.

© Scoop Media