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

S0300-A6-MAN-060EXAMPLE 2-2Assume that wind is from the west (270°) at 25 knots and current sets to the south (180°) at 2.5knots.Wind vector = 0.003 x 25 knots = 0.75 knotsCurrent vector = 1.00 x 2.5 knots = 2.5 knotsPredictions of oil spill movement are made easily by utilizing a radar transfer plotting sheet ormaneuvering board. Wind and current vectors for oil slick movement are plotted the same as currentset and drift are plotted to solve for influence of current on a ship’s heading. Figure 2-4shows how a plotting sheet may be used to predict movement of an oil slick. The resultant movementis 163° at 2.6 knots.Figure 2-4. The Influence of Three Percent of the Wind Speed Combined with 100 Percent of theCurrent Speed Results in the Movement of Oil from A to B.2-6 HAZARDSOil spill response presents hazards to persons working in that activity. Oils may be toxic as wellas flammable. In addition, walking surfaces at spill sites are often very slippery, making work notonly difficult but dangerous. Spills often occur during inclement weather and in remote areas,exposing spill response persons to the rigors of adverse environments. All of these things must betaken into account during a spill response. This subject is addressed in more detail in Chapter 3,Appendix G and in the U.S. Navy Salvage Safety Manual, S0400-AA-SAF-010.2-19