The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) will

test the ability of an industry-sponsored company to respond to oil

spills during an exercise in the San Juan Islands on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Marine Spill Response Corp. (MSRC) will deploy boats, oil-skimming

equipment, and oil-containment boom Wednesday morning near Jones Island, between Orcas and San Juan.

“Being prepared for oil spills is part of Ecology’s effort to

reduce toxic threats to public safety, health and the environment, and

to support the statewide initiative to protect and restore Puget Sound.”

said Linda Pilkey-Jarvis, manager of Ecology’s spills preparedness

section.”

By participating in the drill, MSRC’s customers will fulfill part

of the Washington state oil-spill preparedness requirements. Larger

ships and facilities must develop, update and practice oil spill

contingency plans.

MSRC is a private, not-for-profit company supported by oil

terminal and shipping company members. Eight of these companies are

sponsoring the drill: Polar Tankers, BP Shipping, BP Cherry Point

Refinery, Alaska Tanker Co., Tesoro Anacortes Refinery, Harley Marine

Services, SeaRiver Maritime, and Shell Puget Sound Refinery.

Ecology will observe and evaluate the drill.