Guantanamo Oil Spill Response Team Refines Skills

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW) Bill Mesta, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Sailors and civilians attached to Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba's, Port Operations and Public Works departments conducted an oil spill response drill in the bay June 14.

The drill, conducted quarterly, refines boom boat and skimmer operators' skills and ensures NS Guantanamo Bay maintains its oil spill response capability.

"The oil response drill included simulating an oil spill in the 'industrial area' of the naval station's harbor," said Lt. Thomas Ware, NS Guantanamo Bay port operations officer. "The drill focused on mechanical sweeping on the surface of the water and transferring oil from the skimmer to a vacuum truck."

This drill was conducted differently than it has been in the past, said Ware. Military members and civilian contractors participated in the evolution, allowing military to get a grasp of oil spill response procedures.

"Previously, the contractor has conducted oil spill response drills utilizing only contracted personnel," said Ware. "Going forward, [we have] created a spirit of cooperation for drills between civilian and military who are assigned to the port operations department."

Future oil spill response drills will expand, and are scheduled to include participation from NS Guantanamo Bay's fire department and activation of its Emergency Operations Center, said Ware.