Floating device will protect against disaster

Sep 19 2008 By Adam Courtney

A large floatation device - long enough to span the width of the Thames - was deployed in the river on Thursday as part of environmental disaster preparations.

Environment Agency staff deployed the large plastic boom - that is designed to control a spill should fuel or chemicals leak into the waterway - in a training exercise.

It controls a spill by forming a a blockade on the current and allows slicks to be guided to the riverbank, where machines suck up the toxins.

Owned by the agency, the boom requires four operators, two on either side of the river, and takes about two hours to deploy.

On September 18 near Sunbury Lock, six staff, along with training co-ordinator manager Guy Elliot, spent the morning refamiliarising themselves with emergency drills.

Mr Elliot said: "We have owned it for about 15 years and, although we have never had to use it in anger during that time, we view it as an absolutely vital piece of equipment. It could make the difference between us having a minor or major incident on our hands."

He added the agency conducts prevention work throughout the year, especially in high risk areas such as Sunbury Lock, which has an oil storage depot nearby. Other risks areas include Walton and Weybridge, with Mr Elliot fearful a major traffic accident in either town, for example involving a petrol tanker, would involve chemicals being swept into drains and then into the river.

With much drinking water sourced from the Thames the need for quick action on the waterway is essential.

Mr Elliot said: "Although the number of spillages has gone down in recent years, it's essential we remain on our toes. The boom's like a security blanket and if we were to get rid of it today, it's Sod's law that a major incident would happen tomorrow."

Agency worker John Reisinger, who was one of the staff involved in the training day, said: "It's easy enough once you get the hang of it and it really is an absolutely vital piece of protection for everyone who lives near the river."