Americas News
Oil Spill Response Drill on U.S. West Coast
BP Shipping, Marine Spill Response Corp. (MSRC), and four tanker companies are participating in a drill testing the companies’ ability to respond to a collision and oil spill in Rosario Strait off the U.S. West Coast, according to the Washington (State) Department of Ecology, which is organising the drill.
The test, taking place Tuesday and sponsored by BP Shipping, involves Alaska Tanker Co., Harley Marine Services, ConocoPhillips Polar Tankers, and SeaRiver Maritime.
MSRC, BP Shipping’s contractor, will use oil-skimming vessels, response boats, and oil barrier booms to test its readiness to respond to an actual spill.
The drill will also incorporate commercial vessels and crews in the area.
State law requires all companies transporting or handling oil to have spill readiness plans in place.
Last year, Washington State had a spill at Port Angeles and another at Penn Cove.
