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

S0300-A6-MAN-0604-5.2 Wind Effect on Boom. High winds can create surface waves that can in turn cause oiloverflow or splashover and reduce boom effectiveness. Wind tends to lay the boom over in thedirection of the wind and lessens boom efficiency. High winds can cause a mooring system orboom-handling boat system to drag.Wind can generate waves that carry oil over the barrier. To prevent this, some boom is constructedwith splash guards located near the top of the float and extending outward. As wavesattempt to wash over the float, the splash guards deflect the oil and water backward.4-5.3 Wind and Current Combinations. Wind and current acting on a boom from the samedirection tend to keep the boom upright. The freeboard and skirt flair in the same direction.Conversely, wind and current acting on the boom from opposite directions tend to roll the boomover because the freeboard and draft flare in opposite direction.4-5.4 Ice and Boom. Ice moved by current can drag anchoring systems, roll boom over, damagethe flotation cells and skirt or completely destroy the system. Boom intended for ice-laden watersrequires upgraded strength members. Most boom skirt and float materials are damaged by exposureto heavy ice for prolonged periods. When ice is anticipated, heavy and durable boom systemsshould be used.The SUPSALV boom has been subjected to ice conditions in Alaskan waters and performed well.The boom retained its shape and remained intact even though the mooring anchors were draggedas the ice moved. In some instances, the best procedure is to disconnect the boom and trail it fromone anchoring point until the moving ice has passed. Some commercial booms have been successfulin ice, but most existing booms show instability in ice.If ice movement is slowed by conventional boom, spreading oil is delayed in reaching sensitiveareas. Net boom positioned between the ice and containment boom can protect the boom fromdamage or fouling by ice. The ice acts as a barrier to oil, but becomes oiled and must be disposedof as part of the cleanup.4-25