No More Reels!

  About the System

Technical advances in launching, recovering, and storing large lengths of oil boom have been lacking.  Traditionally, boom is deployed and recovered by manual means or via limited storage capacity, high value storage reels.  However, the Oil Boom Linear Hauler Launch and Recovery System advances the launching, recovering and storing of large lengths of oil boom while enhancing operating personnel safety and capability with reduced maintenance, logistics and manning requirements.

The Oil Boom Linear Hauler Launch and Recovery System development and demonstration results in a launch and recovery system capable of deploying and recovering different types and varying lengths of boom from platforms of opportunity while storing on pallets or in sealed ISO containers.  Important features of this deployment and recovery system include:

• Replacing many limited capacity storage reels

• Handling various booms with performance tailored to individual boom design parameters such as working load

• Minimizing crew fatigue and possibility of injury

• Simplified logistics and reducing maintenance

• Minimizing deck space for boom handling and stowage

• Use at sea and in port for boom cleaning and inspection

• Reducing or eliminating boom or connector damage

• Rapid/Positive control for deployment/recovery

• Cost effectiveness (one unit and unlimited storage pallets and/or containers replaces multiple storage take-up reels)

The Oil Boom Linear Hauler Launch and Recovery Systems deploys and recovers varying types and accommodates any length of oil boom from the deck of ships, barges of opportunity, docks, or trucks. 

The design enhances recovery and deployment operations by:

• Incorporating boom washdown during recovery

• Minimizing crew fatigue from manual boom handling

• Reducing maintenance and system logistics

• Providing flexibility for use at sea and in port for boom cleaning or inspection

 Other features include:

• Replacing multiple storage reels

• Reducing deck space requirements for handling and storage of oil booms

• Minimizing handling damage to boom or connectors

• Providing adjustments for different boom types

• Operating from decks of vessels, trucks or trailers pierside

Recovery can be completed directly to sealed containers preventing the spread of oil from soiled booms.  The lightweight, easily transportable design provides rapid boom deployment and retrieval from storage pallets and ISO containers.

Designed originally to handle the Marine Spill Response Corporation’s (MSRC) 270,000+ feet of palletized Engineered Fabrics SEA SENTRY© II 23-44 boom, the system’s capability includes handling a variety of booms.  Developed in late 1993 and demonstrated first on land at MSRC’s Region IV Southwest, Port Hueneme, California facility, followed by in port and at sea testing aboard the M/V California Responder in January 1994, the system performed exceptionally well, requiring no modification from the as-built design.  Tests (conducted off the coast in low sea state conditions) and follow-on use in MSRC Training Exercises (August 1994—Port Hueneme, California, and December 1994—Eureka, California) demonstrated superior system performance.

During tests, typical 660 foot boom sections consisting of six interconnected 110 foot Engineered Fabrics 23-44 boom were recovered, floatation chambers deflated, and the boom fanfolded on the deck inboard of the recovery system in retrieval times averaging 3 minutes and 40 seconds per 110 foot section.  Following recovery, the boom was deployed and floatation chambers inflated in typical deployment of 20 minutes per 660 feet.

To watch a video of the Oil Boom Linear Hauler, please visit:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWC_b9_BfrM