Containment and Recovery Field Guide

This short field guide is intended to be used by anyone undertaking containment and recovery operations to combat oil spills at sea. Included are safety considerations for the operations, a brief description of the variables involved in this type of response and advice on how to ensure the most successful outcome.

Offshore containment and recovery can be a useful response strategy and will be most successful when:

• The most suitable recovery device for the oil type and weather conditions is selected.
• The boom used is well-maintained and deployed by trained operators.
• Communications are effective amongst all parties.
• Suitable storage is available