The Bourbon Argonaute arrived this morning for an oil pollution response drill with Guernsey Ports’ workboat Sarnia, before a second exercise with the St Peter Port lifeboat involving casualty transfer and towing.
Built in 2003 as an anchor handling vessel, the Bourbon Argonaute now supports deep water salvage and recovery operations for the French Navy.
She carries specialist pollution response equipment, including floating containment booms and systems that can recover and treat oil at sea.
During the drill, the Sarnia helped deploy a containment boom, a floating barrier placed around an oil spill to stop it spreading and limit environmental damage.
The aim is to make sure local crews and vessels can support any future anti-pollution operation in Bailiwick waters.
‘Exercises like these are an important part of maintaining Guernsey’s preparedness for maritime emergencies,’ said assistant harbour master Simon Granger.
‘While incidents involving marine pollution are rare, it is essential that local agencies and crews can work effectively with specialist response assets should they ever be required.’
Mr Granger said the exercise would test practical arrangements for deploying containment equipment and give crews the chance to work together ‘in a realistic operational environment’.
After the exercises, the Bourbon Argonaute will berth in St Peter Port Harbour, where crew members will meet the harbour master and officers from Guernsey Coastguard at the Signal Station.
The vessel is due to leave tomorrow.
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