report mdsrc spill response training & exercise

Report

MDSRCSpill Response Training & Exercise

Inuvik, NT

September 17 & 18, 2008

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary 3

...........................................................................................................................................................Authors 5

..............................................................................................................................Winter Refresher Training 6

...........................................................................................................................Summer Refresher Training 7

...........................................................................................................................................Summer Exercise 8

...........................................................................................................Description of the Spill Scenario 8

..............................................................................................................................Deployment Briefing 8

...........................................................................................................Assignment to Crews and Duties 8

.......................................................................................................................................Safety Briefing 8

......................................................................................................................Communications Briefing 8

......................................................................................Helicopter Net Load Dispatch Demonstration 9

.........................................................................................................................................Deployment 10

......................................................................................................................BoomVane Deployment 13

......................................Deployment Tear Down, Equipment Decontamination and Demobilization 15

............................................................................................................................................Debriefing 15

..............................................................................................................................Debriefing Comments 16

...............................................................................................................................Appendix A: Attendees: 18

............................................................................................Appendix B: Exercise Management Structure 22

..............................................................................Appendix C: Sept. 18 Deployment Exercise Event Log 23

.................................................................................................................Appendix D: Radio Assignments 26

of 26Summer Exercise and Training Report

Executive Summary

The summer session was the best attended Mackenzie Delta Spill Response Corporation (MDSRC) 0training session held to date with 36 participants from both industry and government. The most encouraging aspect was the number of attendees who are resident s of the Mackenzie Delta. This 0response certainly advanced the MDSRC aim of building a core of trained responders in the area.

The MDSRC equipment was equal to the challenges placed upon it and will require only a few minor adjustments to make it even better.

Just prior to the training all the spill equipment, Field Command Post trailer and jet boat were moved to 0the new storage location at Allen Services in Inuvik. Initial indications are that the new storage facilities 0will prove a far superior base than the previous one.

The helicopter net load transport demonstration was an interesting addition to the training and gave proof to the participants as to just how much faster equipment deployments can be effected using this tool. It 0validated the MDSRC goal of having all the MDSRC equipment helicopter transportable in the near 0future.

As is usual at the MDSRC exercises, industry and government participants were mixed together in the various response teams and worked together seamlessly.

Interior of new facilities post exercise.


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Authors

This report was authored by Ian Lambton and Tim Taylor and describes the MDSRC formal classroom training and open water exercise conducted in Inuvik on September 17 & 18, 2008.

Our thanks go to Regan Stoddart for taking very careful notes during the exercise and to Ed Kustan and Randall Warren for their review of the draft report.

Participants attending class room sessions


Winter Refresher TrainingSept. 17 Mackenzie Hotel

0830 – 1200 Response to Spills in Winter Conditions

Formal classroom training was conducted by Tim Taylor, Priddis Environmental Solutions, Calgary, AB

Topics covered in the training session included:

Introduction to the MDSRC

First response. Topics included:

o Safety information (WHMIS)

o Flashpoint and Flammability

o TDG

MDSRC Response Manual

Spill reporting (Mr. Jan Davies of INAC spoke as well to this topic)

Safety Plan. Topics included:

o MDSRC Safety Planning Tool

o PPE

o Hot Zones

Vehicle spill response kits

Sea container response kits

Large spill response

Prevention

An emphasis on safety and protecting oneself was placed on presentation materials.

The instruction was supported by a PowerPoint presentation and handout. The handouts included MDSRC forms and spill reporting protocols.

The session took a lunch break. Lunch was brought in.


Summer Refresher TrainingSept. 17 Mackenzie Hotel

1300-1630 Response to Spills in Open Water Season

Formal classroom training was conducted by Ian Lambton, Riverspill Response Canada, Burnaby, BC.

Topics covered in this classroom session were:

Initial Action/Safe Approach to a Spill Site

Internal Notification/External Reporting of Spills

Safety

Material Properties & Behaviour of Spills

Resources at Risk

Control Points

Response Tactics for:

o Spills within facilities

o Spills on Land

o Spills into ditches, drains, culverts and small streams

o Spills into Lakes

o Spills into Rivers

Decontamination Procedures (Personnel & Equipment)

Waste Management

MDSRC Response Equipment Review

The instruction was supported by a PowerPoint presentation.


Summer ExerciseSept. 18 Mackenzie Hotel, Allen Services Yard & ATL Dock Control Point

0830 The following activities took place at the Mackenzie Hotel prior to the visit to Allen Services to tour the equipment cache and the equipment deployment exercise held in the area adjacent to ATL dock.

Description of the Spill ScenarioThe “spill” was described as a release into the river of diesel fuel in the Township of Inuvik. The river flows would then carry the “spill” downstream to the ATL dock Control Point for containment and recovery.

Popcorn was to be used as the test medium to determine if the deployment was a success.

Emphasis was placed on there being no time limit to perform the deployment of containment and recovery equipment and that conducting operations in a safe manner was the priority.

Deployment BriefingA large diagram was used to instruct the attendees on the various components of the required deployment.

Assignment to Crews and DutiesCare was taken to ensure that all crews had a blend of experienced and less experienced personnel.

The Exercise Management Structure/Key Personnel assignments were detailed in the briefing. See Appendix C for assignments.

Safety BriefingThe briefing covered the requirement for appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be worn and that safety was to be the first priority during response operations. A Safety Officer and Safety Watch were appointed to monitor this aspect.

Communications BriefingAll the key personnel having duties in the Exercise Management Team were issued with portable radios.

Learning: The boat Captain Ron Krinke and boat Operator Kris Kobbero were provided with headsets for their radios. This greatly increased their ability to communicate over the noise of the boat engines.

Frequency assignments, Call Signs and Priority Codes were covered in this briefing. See Appendix D.

***

Upon completion of the briefings the attendees moved to Allen Services yard to view the MDSRC cache of equipment and have any shortfalls in PPE made good, on a loan basis, from the MDSRC stocks.


The response equipment to be used at the deployment exercise had been selected prior to the class visit and awaited loading onto vehicles.

Helicopter Net Load Dispatch DemonstrationWith the long term goal of having all MDSRC response equipment being adapted for helicopter supported response activities, Canadian Helicopters in Inuvik had been approached to learn if they would be interested in demonstrating the effectiveness of this technique.

Canadian Helicopter Base Manager, Inuvik, Andre Vermette very kindly supplied a pilot and helicopter with long line and net to perform this demonstration. Canadian employees Owen Bonnie and Tyler Strachan served as ground crew both for the departure from Allen Services yard and the arrival at the ATL dock Control Point.

Once the net load of equipment was built in the Allen Services yard the Canadian Helicopter A-Star was summoned from Inuvik Airport. It already had its longline and hook fitted and without touching down picked up the load and went directly to the ATL dock area to land it in a pre-determined location. It then continued on to another non-exercise related assignment.

The Canadian Helicopter departs for the ATL Control Point with the net load

Having witnessed the departure of the net load the attendees preceded to the ATL dock Control Point.

Permission to use the ATL site had very kindly been granted by a representative of the landowner, IDC, Ms. Sue McNeil.


Advanced notice of the deployment exercise activities had been given to the Inuvik detachment of the RCMP and the Marine Communications & Traffic Services (MCTS) Operations Room of the Canadian Coast Guard. The latter monitor the movement of larger vessels in the Mackenzie River and MDSRC wished them to be aware that the class would be deploying booms in the river although we were careful to indicate we would not impinge on the deep water channel or obstruct any vessel movement through the area.

DeploymentIt may be helpful to better understand what follows if the reader refers to the Deployment Diagram shown

to the left.

Upon arrival at the Control Point the first priority was to limit access to the work zone with caution tape and then deploy the wind sock, air horns (site alarm), First Aid kits and fire extinguishers within easy reach of the main working areas.

The various crews then set to the deployment with enthusiasm. The boat had arrived from its launch point in Inuvik and prepared to set the main boom anchor at an upstream point deteremined with the aid of a laser rangefinder.

A detailed chronological log of the activites was maintained by Security/Documentation, Reagan Stoddart and a copy of that may be found later in this document.

The launching of the skimmer and the BoomVane required that two of the responders had to be in chest waders and Ralph Vanderlinden and Warren Pokiak were the “volunteers”. Their efforts were greatly appreciated. The two watermen were linked to

the shore by manned safety lines.


While the main anchor was being deployed Boom Crew #1 hooked together the 7 x 50’ (15.24 m) sections of the boom that would comprise the 350’ (106.68 m) main spill containment device. This was zig zagged on shore with a paravane (float), tow bridle and tow rope fixed to its head end and a mooring line tagged to its tail end bridle. Prior to handing the tow rope to the boat that would hook the rope to the deployed upstream anchor assembly the tail end mooring line was tied to a downstream anchor pin on shore.

Concurrently, the Pumps, Tanks and Skimmer Crew assembled the recovery module that comprised:

• 2 x 50’ booms, with one connected to each upstream corner of the skimmer

• A mooring line to the shore side boom that would be tied to a shore anchor pin

• Hydraulic hoses from the power pack to the skimmer. These power both the skimmer pump and rotate the recovery module; in this case the drum system

• A hose was run from the skimmer pump discharge line to a 1,500 imperial gallon (6819 L) tank on shore to carry the product recovered by the skimmer

• A 40 lb (18.14 kg) anchor assembly and line that was attached to the riverside length of boom

• A rope was run from the back of the skimmer to a downstream shore pin to hold the deployment in position

Upon its return the boat picked up the riverside anchor assembly and with the assistance of the shore crew floated the recovery assembly into position.


The containment boom and skimmer being prepared for deployment

The skimmer power pack was started and essentially the deployment was now ready to recover a spill.

As an added refinement the boat towed 1 x 50’ section of boom fitted with 2 x 40 lb anchor assemblies to a point upstream of the main boom to place it as a deflection device. Despite repeated attempts this deployment would not hold due to the faster flows in the deeper part of the river. The boat Captain reported that 75 lb anchors would be required to hold the boom in the faster water. This task was cancelled by the Incident Commander.

The containment boom and skimmer in position

To test the deployment the boat went some distance upstream and dumped a quantity of popcorn in the river. Due to the low river speed it took some time for the popcorn to find its way downstream but eventually every kernel of it was captured in the area immediately in front of the skimmer.

That this deployment had been put in place by essentially new responders, utilizing equipment with which they were not familiar, in a very short space of time, this was an exceedingly impressive performance.


The deployment captured all the popcorn at the skimmer mouth

BoomVane DeploymentBoom Crew #2 assembled the Shallow Water BoomVane and configured it for use as a boom deployment tool. Unfortunately, despite a valiant attempt, this type of deployment could not be performed due to the very low river flows (< 0.5 kph) in the near shore waters. To move 350’ of boom into position with this tool approximately 3 kph of water speed would be required.

The decision was made to demostrate the BoomVane’s abilities as an open water sweeping tool and the unit was reconfigured to that purpose by the addition of the two rudder lock springs.

When the main deployment was recovered, 150’ of the containment boom was detached and left in the river. It then had the BoomVane attached by a mooring line to one end and a 100’ (30.48m) rope attached to the other. Both lines were given to the boat which towed the assembly into mid channel.

After both lines had been paid out to an equal 100’ length the boat increased speed. The BoomVane, now subjected to a significant water flow across its vertical vanes, moved away from the boat’s wake taking the boom with it. The result was a 150’ curve of boom behind the moving boat “sweeping” the river centre. It is a great credit to the boat crew that they managed to manouver the boat through several 360 ° turns while keeping the boom from collapsing on itself. The BoomVane manufacturer can now be informed that a tactic that they discourage in their tool’s Operations Manual can indeed be safely and effectively performed, albeit in slow flowing water, by a competent crew.


Boom vane assembled on shore

Participants watch the MDSRC boat “sweeping” the river with the BoomVane and boom in tow


Deployment Tear Down, Equipment Decontamination and DemobilizationAfter the deployments and BoomVane sweeping demonstration were completed all equipment was recovered, hosed down to remove the riverbank mud and reloaded on vehicles. All garbage was also removed from the site.

The participants then returned to Allen Services to unload the equipment and attend a debriefing.

DebriefingThe debriefing was moderated by Incident Commander Randall Warren and its details are reported in the Incident Event Log below.

The Commander concluded the exercise by warmly thanking all present for their attendance and enthusiastic participation.

Commander and deputy commander


Debriefing Comments

Comments Actions• Although a Site Safety Briefing was

conducted as part of the morning presentations a written Site Safety Plan should have been available.

This will be done at future exercises and blanks of the MDSRC Site Safety forms will be placed in each Nuisance Spill container (#1-#7 inclusive) and the Field Command Post trailer

• Should have plywood or cargo pallets available to place on foreshore to prevent workers sinking into the mud. MDSRC has a number of 4’ x 8’ particleboard sheets in a container.

These will be cut into 4’ x 4’ panels and used for this purpose in future

• No drip trays to place under mechanical equipment. A recommendation is hereby made to purchase these both for equipment storage and use at exercises/responses

The drip trays will purchased under the 2009 Capital Budget.

• The suction screens had holes that were larger than the 2.54 mm holes mandated by Department of Fisheries and Oceans for such devices.

The suction screens will be covered in an appropriate sized mesh when used in fish bearing waterways during the next maintain session. The mesh could be removed should they be used to pump out sumps or other industrial facilities

• One 25’ discharge hose was found to have pin hole leaks.

That hose is now out of service and tagged as such and will be further punctured as it will form a part of a future beach flushing kit

• Keep a record of trained personnel, especially those residents in the Delta area, so that qualified people can be summoned in the event of a spill event. MDSRC member companies would have access to those records, should the need arise It was noted attendees receive certificates from MDSRC.

The question of whether the MDSRC maintains such a record will be raised with the Board of Directors.

• Maintain a record of contractors and other response resources that could be useful in the event of a spill.

The draft of the new MDSRC Response Plan does have a chapter titled Suppliers/Services in which this information is being added. The final edition of this Response Plan should be available to MDSRC Members in the near future


Participants


Appendix A: Attendees:

September 17, 2008

Name Job Title, Employer

1. John S Roland Monitor – ILA

2. Craig Miller Marine Safety Inspector (Transport Canada) miller@ tc.gc.ca

3. Ed Kehoe Marine ops MGR. [email protected]

4. Scott Martin Barge Master [email protected]

5. Owen Bonnie Engineer CHL. [email protected]

6. Tyler Strachan Engineer, Canadian [email protected]

7. Perry C. Villebran PO Box 335 Fort McPherson

8. Robert Joss Safety Supervisor [email protected]

9. Kris Kobbero Construction supervision MGM, [email protected]

10. Ralph Vanderlinden Logistic MGM, [email protected]

11. Warren Pokiak Box 32, Tuktoyaktuk NT X0E 1C0

12. Jan Davies Water Resource Officer INAC, [email protected]

13.Philip Glen Well site Co-ordinator –MGM, 3870 Grange Rd. BC V8Z 4T5

14. Stanley Felix P.O. Box 392 Tuktoyaktuk NT X0E 1C0

15. Jimmy Arey P.O. Box 2424 Inuvik. NT. X0E 0T0

16.Erica Wall Oceans Biologist, Fisheries & Oceans

[email protected] P.O. Box 1871 Inuvik NT X0E 0T0

17.Barry Jacobson Box 290, Tuktoyaktuk NT X0E 1C0

18.Reagn Stoddart Box 290, Tuktoyaktuk, NT X0E 1C0, [email protected]

19. Erin Allooloo Box 1354, Inuvik NT, [email protected]

20. Ron MacMillan [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]























21. Ed Kustan SR. Environmental Advisor – MGM Energy Corp. [email protected]

22. Jake Boyle PLM – Enbridge (nw) inc.

23. Tim Taylor [email protected]

24. Kirk MacLellan ConcoPhilips, [email protected]

25. Marty Larson Field advisor MGM

26. Roger Wilson Akita Drilling, Floorhand / motorhand

27. Jason Baxter Dowlands

28. John Lewis Quantum Murray, Cranston, BC

29. Brian Wade Northwind

30. Thomas Anthony Northwind

31. Eric Lindsay Northwind

32. Jimmy Kalinek Inuvik Hunters and Trappers

33.Randall Warren DAR Manager, Shell Canada

34








September 18, 2008


1. Warren Pokaic AKITA

2. Tim Taylor MDSRC

3. Keis Kobbero Construction Consulting MGM Energy

4. Ron Krinke MGM

5. Ralph Vanderlinder MGM

6. Ed Kustan MGM

7. Kirk MacLellan CPC

8. Jason Baxter Dowlands (Tank Cleaner)

9. Phil Glen MGM

10. Jimmy Arey AKITA

11. Brian Wade Northwind Wind, Operator

12. John S Roland I.L.A Monitor

13. Thomas Anthony Northwind Wind, Operator

14. Eric Lindsay Northwind Wind, Operator

15. Erica Wall DFO 777-7576

16. Sue McNeil IDC – Project Manager

17. Marty Larson MGM – Filed Environmental Advisor

18. Randall Warren Shell Canada

19. Jake Boyle Enbridge (NM) Inc. (PLM)

20. Erin Allooloo Fire Department, Fire Fighter

21. Stanley Felix ILA Environmental Monitor

22. Barry Jacobson ILA LMO GIS tech.

23. Roger Wilson AKITA



24. Tyler Strachan Engineer, Canadian Helicopters

25. Owen Bonnie Engineer CHL [email protected]

26. John Lewis Quantum Murray

27. Ron MacMillian Rocky Mountain Environmental

28. Perry C. Villebrun Camp Mamtaimer

29. Reagen Stoddart Environmental Specialist, ILA

30. Craig Miller TCMS [email protected]

31. Jan Davies Water Resource Officer, IRNC, [email protected]

32. Ed Kehoe Horizon North

33. Scott Martin Horizon North

34. Robert Joss Akita Drilling








Appendix B: Exercise Management Structure

Incident Commander Randall Warren (Shell) *

Deputy Commander Crew #1 Ed Kustan (MGM Energy) *

Deputy Commander Crew #2 Tim Taylor (Priddis Environmental Solutions)

Safety Officer Kirk MacLellan (Conoco Phillips) *

Safety Watch Erica Wall (Inuvik Fire Department)

Response Advisor Ian Lambton (Riverspill Response Canada)

Boat Captain Ron Krinke (MGM Energy) *

Boat Operator Kris Kobbero (MGM Energy) *

Security/Documentation Reagan Stoddart (ILA)

#1 Boom Crew Leader Ed Keogh (Horizon North)

Pumps/Tank/Skimmer Leader Scott Martin (Horizon North)

#1 Crew Runner Ron MacMillan (Rocky Mountain Environmental)

#2 Boom Crew Leader John Logan (Quantum Environmental)

#2 Boom Crew Runner Jan Davies (INAC)

* Denotes MDSRC Member Representative


MartyDec 1, 9:22 AMFormatted: US English

MartyDec 1, 9:22 AMFormatted: US English

Appendix C: Sept. 18 Deployment Exercise Event Log

By: Reagan Stoddart

0830 Attendees assemble at Mackenzie Hotel for briefings

0915 Arrive at Allen Services yard to tour MDSRC response equipment, remedy and deficiencies in PPE and assemble helicopter net load of equipment.

0950 Canadian Helicopter’s A-Star arrives from airport with 50’ long line, picks up net load and proceeds to ATL dock control point to drop load.

1000 Depart Allen Services for ATL dock control point

1005 Arrive ATL dock and unload response equipment

Weather: 0 ̊C (-3 ̊C with wind chill), Wind East @11kph, overcast

Site conditions: Muddy at foreshore, river rippled by wind, flow < 0.5 kph

1010 The Canadian Helicopter attendees left to return to their regular duties (Owen Bonnie & Tyler Strachan). Head count 32 after they leave

1015 All equipment unloaded and small items placed on tarpaulin to prevent their loss

1017 Boom crew #1 zig zags boom at shoreline and connects the lengths. Paravane attached to head end, 100’ line attached to trailing end

1032 Boat crew sets 75 lb river anchor at a spot upstream dictated by shore crew using a laser rangefinder

1036 Boom crew #2 has BoomVane assembled

1045 Boat attaches main boom (350’) to upstream anchor. Downstream end fixed to drive in pins on shore

1050 Honda 2” pump reported to be leaking gasoline. Sorbent pads used to clean up. Pump had no drip tray. (Subsequent inspection indicated sticking carburetor float. Recommend drip trays are added to inventory). In this case pump was placed on sorbents on top of tarpaulin.

1051 Pumps/Tanks/Skimmer crew assemble skimmer with 2 x 50’ stub booms, hoses, power pack and attach to 1,500 gallon tank

1102 Boat and shore crews float out skimmer and stub booms assembly. Boat places outboard stub boom anchor

1107 Deployment essentially completed with the exception of the upstream deflection boom

Weather: +2 ̊C, Wind ESE 7kph, partly cloudy


Site conditions: River rippled, flow < 0.5 kph

1111 Boat attempts to set deflection boom. 40 lb anchors dragging. After repeated attempts this was cancelled. Crew reports they would need 75 lb anchors with chains to hold boom even at these low water flows. Note: The flow at the deflection booming site was thought to be considerably higher than at the Control Point shore line as the deflection site was in the deep water channel.

1116 Skimmer power pack started and skimmer drum operated

1130 Boom crew #2 assisted by boat crew float BoomVane that has been moored and configured for a river bank launch. Due to the less than 0.5 kph river water flow close to shore the BoomVane does not react

1143 BoomVane removed from water

1145 The test medium, popcorn, is “spilled” upstream of the deployment by the boat.

1154 All the popcorn arrives immediately in front of the skimmer. Not one kernel escaped the boom deployment

1200 Lunch break

Weather: +3 ̊C, Wind ESE 11 kph, overcast

Site conditions: River rippled, flow < 0.5 kph, river edge very muddy

1233 The abandoned deflection boom was recovered and brought to shore by the boat

1239 Tear down of main deployment commenced. Any equipment soiled by the muddy bank to be washed down on the tarpaulin prior to being loaded on vehicles for transport back to Allen Services

When equipment wash down started one 25’ discharge hose proves to have pin hole leaks. This is withdrawn from service and a second hose substituted

1240 Boom crew #2 reconfigure BoomVane for use in open water sweeping. This requires the installation of 2 rudder springs

1301 All of main boom except 150’ removed from water, washed and reloaded in boom box

1305 Boat crew loads BoomVane and two mooring lines and moves boat to pick up 150’ of boom moored in mid channel.

1310 Boat attaches BoomVane mooring line and boom tail end towing line to 150’ of boom. Crew launches BoomVane and while boat moves upstream slowly let out the 100’ of BoomVane mooring line and 50’ of boom tail end tow line simultaneously. Boat then increases speed.

BoomVane sheers away from boat towing boom. Tail end tow line holds other end. Perfect semi circle of boom “sweeps” channel.

Boat performs several perfect 360 ̊turns towing “sweeping” boom.


1330 Shore crews take all remaining equipment, including 150’ boom and BoomVane to wash on tarpaulin

1401 All equipment reloaded. Participants depart for Allen Services to unload equipment into shop and attend debriefing

The Incident Commander closed the proceeding by thanking all for their attendance and outstanding efforts.

1445 Debriefing completed.


Appendix D: Radio Assignments

POSITION CALL SIGN

Incident Commander COMMANDER

Deputy Commander Deputy ONE or TWO

Safety Officer Safety OFFICER

Safety Safety ONE

Advisor IAN

Security/Documentation SECURITY

Boat Captain BOAT

Boom Crews Boom ONE or TWO

Pumps, Tanks & Skimmers Crews PUMPS

Runners Runner ONE or TWO

Frequencies

Command Channel # Spill 1

Tactical Channel # Spill 2


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