CAPE MAY, N.J. — The crew of Coast Guard Station Cape May conducted boom deployment training Sept. 26 in the Cape May Harbor with instruction from Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay pollution response personnel.
Sector Delaware Bay pollution response personnel conducted the classroom training and supervised the deployment of approximately 300 feet of boom.
Small-boat crews from Station Cape May used inflated fenders that simulated oil in the water that was collected in the boom during the training evolution.
"This type of training ensures Station Cape May can efficiently and effectively deploy boom," said Petty Officer 1st Class Erik Vedder, Station Cape May's operations petty officer. "Personnel learn about the various parts of the equipment, how to set it up and what deployment strategies might work to contain oil within the marine environment."
This training is held annually and allows Station Cape May personnel the opportunity to deploy boom before an actual pollution response mission where additional personnel and resources would arrive on scene once station personnel take initial steps to contain certain spills. Each Sector Delaware Bay station has a pollution response trailer that is ready to be deployed around the state of New Jersey when required.
Station Cape May is a multi-mission unit that conducts search and rescue, law enforcement, marine environmental protection, and ports, waterways and coastal security missions in the Delaware Bay, Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. Station Cape May utilizes the Coast Guard's newest small boat asset, the 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, which is powered by twin diesel jet engines, and replaces the aging fleet of 41-foot Utility Boats.
