Navy plans oil spill drill in Port Townsend Bay on Thursday
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, June 5, 2013
PORT HADLOCK — Naval Magazine Indian Island personnel will conduct an oil spill response exercise Thursday morning near Skunk Island and the Port Hadlock Marina.
During the exercise, Navy personnel simulate an oil spill in Port Townsend Bay, then use small boats and place bright orange containment boom across the water.
No impact on the public is expected, the Navy said, emphasizing that personnel anticipate no effect on boat traffic. But nearby residents and boaters may see spill response activity and equipment in waters near Skunk Island in the Port Hadlock area.
The exercise is part of the Navy’s response preparedness program and will involve Navy personnel executing a protection strategy, which is designed to keep oil from entering the tidal marsh and protect wildlife habitat and commercial shellfish beds near Skunk Island.
This type of spill response exercise is conducted annually, the Navy said.
“We like to practice responding to simulated spills at different areas in Admiralty Inlet around Indian Island, even if they are not caused by the Navy, in order to ensure we are ready to assist the community in responding to a real spill almost anywhere and protect the shorelines,” said Bill Kalina, Naval Magazine Indian Island environmental program site manager.
