Strategies and Tactics for Boom Operations

Lt. Michael J. MagdaWestern Wayne County HMRT, Livonia Fire &

Rescue

Safety Considerations

Weather Response personnel PPE Vessel- size, crew &

experience Communication

Sorbent Boom Snare Boom Fire Boom Hard Boom

Types of Boom

Boom Components

Components of Hard Boom

Bridle Components

Clam water boom (harbor boom) 1’ Fast water boom (clam water/fast current

boom) 1’ Protected water boom 3’ Open water boom (ocean boom) 6’ Tidal-seal boom

Boom Classification

Anchoring Systems

Standard anchoring systems

Anchor sizes vary Selected based

Boom array Currents Winds

Anchor line At lest 3-5 times the

depth of water

Boom Angles

Key consideration for deployment

Strategy

Identify location & trajectory of spill

Identify, prioritize & select sensitive areas

Select configuration

Mobilize to location & deploy

Strategy

Secure anchor system, mooring points, vessels, boom control devices, etc.

Monitor & adjust as appropriate

Setup secondary system

Diversion Deflection Exclusion Containment

Booming Tactics

Diversion Boom

Diversion Boom

Objective & Strategy Redirect spill from

one location to another or direct travel to a specific site for recovery

Sometimes confused with deflection

Diversion Boom

Tactic .5 – 3.0 knots Diverted to or from a

shoreline Recovery tactic Shore side or marine

recovery

Single boom- divert inshore or away from shore

Cascade- open or closed Chevron- open or closed

Diversion Configuration

Operating Environments

Commonly used Protected water Clam water Fast water

Rarely used Open water

Broken Ice Difficult

Single Boom- Divert Deployment

Easily deployed Minimal current Anchored at site Deployed at optimum

angle

Single boom Diverts away from shore Recovered by

On-water recovery Marine recovery systems

Divert Offshore Configurations

Cascade Configurations

Several booms Allows vessel traffic

Easier to handle Additional equipment

needed

Open Chevron Configurations

Fast water Anchored middle

stream/river Allows boat traffic

Closed Chevron Configurations

Divides oil to two recovery areas

Closed Chevron Configurations

Don’t assume 100% efficiency Deploy back-up boom downstream Consider spotter/rescue person downstream Mark anchor points and trip lines Readjust angles as needed Continuous monitoring

Deployment Consideration and Limitations

Deflection Boom

Deflection Boom

Directs spilled oil away from a location to be protected or simply to change the course of the slick

Redirected away from an area but not recovered, in contrast with the term “diversion”, which is always associated with oil recovery.

Deflection Boom

Deflection Boom

Tactic .5 – 3.0 knots Diverts from a

shoreline Releasing it into the

current again with a new trajectory

Operating Environments

Commonly used Protected water Clam water Fast water

Rarely used Open water

Broken Ice Difficult

Fixed Live Cascade

Deflection Configurations

Fixed Deflection

Fixed Deflection Boom is

anchored to the shoreline or bottom.

Live Deflection

Live Deflection Attached to vessels

and held in position by the power of the vessels

One end anchored and the other end held in position with a vessel.

Cascade Deflection

Several booms Fast current Strong current Shorter sections Vessel traffic

Downside Additional equipment

Exclusion Boom

Objective & Strategy Prohibit oil slicks from

entering sensitive area

Tactic Fixed-boom tactic Completely boomed

off Conventional boom

or tidal-seal boom

Exclusion Boom

Exclusion Boom

Operating Environments

Commonly used Protected water Clam water

Rarely used Open water Fast water

Broken Ice Difficult

Containment Boom

Objective & Strategy Corral spilled oil on

the water Tactic

Fixed-boom tactic

Containment Boom

Containment Boom

Operating Environments

Commonly used Protected water Clam water

Rarely used Open water

Not recommended Fast water

Broken Ice Difficult

Questions ???