In accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998, there is a requirement in the UK for ports, harbours and oil handling facilities, to prepare oil spill response contingency plans.
Cardiff Harbour Authority has prepared an Oil Spill Contingency Plan in view of Cardiff Bay's proximity to European designated nature conservation sites. Amongst its equipment procured for managing oil spills is the FASTANK 5.
The Cardiff Harbour Authority maintenance crew and environment team recently demonstrated their preparedness when a spill occured. A FASTANK 5 was used to contain contaminated waters pumped from a partially submerged boat, which was then transferred to a road tanker for processing.
"We have two FASTANKs which form an essential part of our oil spill contingency equipment. Not only do they provide an instant storage solution for contaminants on land, we can also place one directly on the deck of the Cardiff Harbour Authority's maintenance vessel as a mobile means of contaminant collection/storage" - Cardiff Harbour Authority representative.