OHMSETT trains oil spill responders

Abstract

The OHMSETT Test Facility, operated by the U.S. Minerals Management Service, is dedicated to testing full-scale oil spill response equipment, conducting research on innovative spill response technology, and conducting training sessions with oil. The facility's most recent contribution to increasing marine environmental protection is training public and private oil spill responders in the use of new and existing response technologies in a test tank under controlled conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recently has increased the number and the frequency of their courses at OHMSETT. Increased training options and satisfied students make OHMSETT a unique training opportunity for the oil spill response community. Training at OHMSETT allows students to increase their recovery proficiency while receiving real-world training recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the USCG. OHMSETT also is researching the idea of using the Sandy Hook Bay for actual field exercises. This would be an additional option for the oil spill responders' course taught by the National Spill Control School at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.