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Solutions for marine pollution control, coastal and shoreline protection to effectively address environmental concerns
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Solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure and other high-security areas
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Solutions for marine pollution control, coastal and shoreline protection to effectively address environmental concerns
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Solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure and other high-security areas
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How to use oil booms during oil spills is a common question we receive at Ecocoast. We now offer five types of oil booms – each designed to address specific conditions such as location, tidal flow, waves and installation duration. In this blog post, we’ll highlight which of our oil booms are most effective for managing oil spills.
Over the past month, there have been several significant oil spill incidents. The Dutch dredger Vox Maxima collided with a fuel supply ship in Singapore, causing the worst oil spill in a decade for that region. It resulted in 400 tons of oil leaking into the sea. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) continues cleanup efforts, focusing on hard-to-reach coastal areas according to their latest press release. Several beaches have been impacted.
In the Red Sea, the British Rubymar sank following a missile strike, leading to pollution concerns. There’s currently a call by the UN for oil pollution response equipment to address this environmental threat. The ship remains partially submerged with bunker fuel and fertilizer cargo onboard, posing a significant risk to Yemen’s nearby Hanish Islands, an ecologically rich area.
Oil booms are crucial in preventing oil spills from spreading uncontrollably. By acting as floating barriers, they can effectively contain and concentrate oil slick, making it easier to remove the oil from the water surface. They are essential for protecting sensitive areas such as inlets, fishing grounds and coastal infrastructure to reduce the risk of environmental damage. They also facilitate a more efficient cleanup process.
Using the right type of boom for specific conditions ensures maximum effectiveness in spill containment and protection.
For inshore protection, we recommend the Ecobarrier Inflatable Oil Boom. Designed for rapid deployment in emergency situations, this boom is ideal for protecting sensitive locations like mangroves near ports or harbors. Stored on a reel, it allows for swift and efficient deployment during critical situations.
See also: Protecting Kalba from oil spills. In response to frequent oil spills, we tested an emergency boom in Kalba, the UAE. It was observed by government officials and coast guard officers. The spills impacted fishermen, hoteliers, tourists and environmental authorities. Kalba, known for its fishing harbor and nature reserve, focused on being prepared to reduce environmental harm.
In areas with stronger tidal flows and waves, the Ecobarrier Solid Flotation Oil Boom is the right choice. It is a general-purpose boom suitable for various water environments and is well-suited for challenging conditions like those in Yemen.
See also: Water News Europe – Breaking boundaries: How Ecocoast is addressing the spread of lethal algae blooms. In the Netflix sustainability documentary Breaking Boundaries, Johan Rockström emphasized the growing environmental impact of green-blue algal blooms in European waters. We installed floating booms in Belgium to contain these blooms, successfully preventing algae from entering the water supply without resorting to chemicals.
Our newly launched Ecobarrier Beach Sealing Oil Booms are designed to create a seal between land and water, preventing spills from spreading onshore. These booms, which might have been beneficial during the Singapore oil spill, feature rapid deployment capabilities, being air-inflated and easy to deploy. They effectively contain spills, stopping oil from spreading further onto beaches and causing additional damage. They can also easily be attached to any of our other booms.
Oil spills can have devastating environmental impacts, but with the right equipment, we can mitigate these effects and protect our waters. If you’re looking for reliable and efficient solutions to manage oil spills, explore our range of oil booms.
Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions can help protect your coastal and marine environments. Together, we can make a difference.
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Oil booms, and beach sealing oil booms specifically, act as floating barriers on the water’s surface, containing and concentrating the oil in one area. By forming a physical barrier between the open sea and the shoreline, they prevent oil from drifting onto beaches, minimizing environmental damage and making cleanup efforts more efficient.
The selection of an oil boom depends on several site-specific factors, including wave height, tidal flow, proximity to the shore or open sea, wind and current conditions, deployment duration (temporary or long-term), and the environmental sensitivity of the area (e.g., mangroves, ports, or beaches). A marine specialist can help choose the most effective solution.
Oil booms are designed to function across a wide range of conditions, but not every boom works in every environment. Lightweight booms are suitable for calm or sheltered waters, while harsher conditions, such as offshore or high-wave environments, require more robust designs with solid flotation, reinforced fabrics and strong anchoring systems.
The Ecobarrier Inflatable Oil Boom is ideal for emergency response in inshore environments. It is stored on reels for rapid deployment and is well-suited for protecting sensitive coastal areas like ports, harbors and mangroves. This boom has been successfully used in real-world emergencies, such as oil spills in Kalba, UAE.
Oil booms are primarily designed for containing and controlling oil spills on water, but they can also be used in some cases to manage issues like toxic algal blooms. However, it is important to note that oil booms are not intended for general debris, trash or other types of marine pollution. For those specific challenges, we offer dedicated solutions such as debris booms, silt curtains and other specialized marine barriers – each engineered for particular environmental problems. This ensures you always have the right boom for your project, maximizing effectiveness and compliance with environmental regulations.
Using the correct boom for the conditions improves containment efficiency, limits the spread of oil, reduces environmental impact and speeds up cleanup operations. A poorly matched boom can fail under local conditions, leading to greater environmental damage and higher response costs.
Yes, our booms are also used to contain and control harmful algal blooms, particularly where chemical treatment is not viable. For example, in Belgium, our booms were successfully deployed to prevent algae from entering water supply, offering an environmentally friendly containment solution.
You can explore our full range of oil booms and environmental protection solutions at Ecocoast. For tailored support or expert advice, you can contact our team directly through the website’s contact us page.
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