U.S. Navy Ship Salvage Manual Volume 6 - Oil Spill Response

S0300-A6-MAN-060varying rates. These units aid in avoiding damage to attachment points and tearing the boom whensmall boats haul the boom away from the shore.Figure 4-5. Boom Storage and Deployment Systems.Large boom rollers, fairleads and storage reels should be positioned to avoid objects that can damageboom material. The land-water interface zones at oil spill mobilization sites are usually industrialwaterfront areas. The piers or shore often contain objects that tear boom. Simple proceduressuch as covering sharp rocks and pier edges with heavy rubber sheets will keep boom structurefrom hanging up and tearing. Deploying and recovering boom from barges also means avoidingworking in areas hazardous to the boom. Barges usually have unobstructed, smooth gunwalesideal for deploying the boom. Handling and storage systems are mounted on barges with little difficulty.Typical boom-handling accessories are shown in Figure 4-5.4-2.4 Other Containment Barriers. Alternate containment systems stop oil from migration viasmall streams, ditches, canals or other avenues from the source to larger and less controllable bodiesof water.• Damming streams stops the spread very effectively, but blocked water accumulatesbehind the dam and creates problems where flooding is undesirable. Water buildup canbe reduced by underflow or drain pipes that pass water in controlled quantities andkeeps oil afloat behind the dam.• Trenching to divert the oil flow when the stream flow is too fast for boom to be effectiveallows oil to be collected. Reflecting boom or net angled across the stream directsthe oil into the diversion trench. The trench is dammed with drainage pipes to allowwater flow back into the stream. The oil collects behind the dam for removal by skimmersystems.4-10