The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has purchased two new pieces of equipment that can be deployed anywhere in the UK to clean up oil spills.
Developed following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response in 2010, the new high-tech equipment dubbed ‘NOFI Current Buster 6’ has been tested for the first time in Belfast, UK, and is claimed to be the latest in up to date technology.
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The equipment has a hydrodynamic shape that reduces the drag force and allows the system to move easily through the water with the capacity to operate five times faster.
The new model, which was put to the test in a demonstration in Belfast Lough on 11 June, also has debris nets, wave dampers and a splash-over cover to avoid spillages.
With an oily water separator, the system has a temporary storage capacity of 70m².
MCA counter-pollution resource manager Gail Robertson said: "The MCA has a thorough response procedure in place to deal with many different types of emergencies at sea that cause pollution, or threaten to cause pollution.
"Demonstrations like the one in Belfast Harbour show how our equipment is fit for purpose.
"These two NOFI Current Buster 6 will enhance and boost our response capability around the whole of the UK."
MCA has a detailed plan of action and equipment in place, and deals with a wide range of pollution incidents off the UK coast.
Image: The NOFI Current Buster 6 can be deployed anywhere in the UK to clean up oil spills. Photo: courtesy of Gov.UK.
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