An emergency response safety exercise, which simulates an oil spill in the Firth of Forth, will take place on Wednesday 7^th October in the vicinity of the lock entrance at the Port of Grangemouth.

Clearwater Forth – the emergency pollution control safety plan – is tested annually by Forth Ports, the statutory river authority for the Firth of Forth, and requires the close involvement of local agencies and river users. This year these will include: Falkirk Council, INEOS, SNH and Marine Scotland.

It is likely that the exercise will result in additional activity around the lockgate entrance to the Port of Grangemouth and the mouth of the River Carron.

Clearwater Forth is an established emergency response plan designed to handle incidents on the river which may involve the risk of oil pollution. The plan is the responsibility of Forth Ports and is only required to be tested every three years. However, Forth Ports tests this on an annual basis as the ports group views safety as a priority.

Captain Bob Baker, Chief Harbour Master, Forth Ports, said: “Safety is a top priority for Forth Ports and all the other organisations involved in Clearwater Forth. These annual exercises help participants gain experience so that we are better equipped to respond speedily and effectively in the unlikely event of an oil spillage in the river.

 “Local residents and those in the vicinity of the port of Grangemouth entrance should be reassured if they see activity that this is associated with our exercise. We look at various scenarios during exercises and build on any lessons learned so that we can improve our emergency procedures and be better placed to protect the local communities and the environment.”