The exercise will be held on Tuesday 19 November in Weymouth Harbour, near the Ferry Steps.
The Weymouth Harbour Team arranged the event, which is called ‘Exercise Bowser’. It is part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s three-yearly requirement to test if services and other organisations can respond effectively to a fuel spill.
Keith Howorth, Weymouth Harbour Master, said: “I would like to reassure people that this is just an exercise. It is important that these training exercises are carried out to make sure we are prepared in case the worst occurs. We hope any inconvenience will be minimal.”
Use of the harbour will not be restricted. Harbour users have been asked to be careful near the exercise, which might involve booms and other equipment.
Organisations taking part in the exercise include the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation, the Emergency Services, Portland Port, the RSPB, the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority. Adler & Allan Ltd Marine Response Team will be running the exercise, on behalf of the Weymouth Harbour Team, who will be taking part.
