Dorset trains for pollution alert (From Dorset Echo)

Councils and agencies take part in exercise to manage coastal pollution

9:02am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

COUNCILS and other organisations are taking part in an exercise today to ensure they are ready if the seas off Dorset are hit by pollution.

Beachmasters, which is run by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, gives experts the skills and knowledge to be able to manage coastal pollution.

The English Channel is one of the world’s main maritime routes, used by almost 20 per cent of worldwide maritime traffic.

More than 126,000 ships carrying 354 million tonnes of hazardous cargo use the Channel each a year.

Representatives from Dorset County Council, Environment Agency, Natural England, Christchurch Borough Council, Bournemouth Council, Borough of Poole Council, Purbeck District Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and West Dorset District Council will take part in the event today and tomorrow.

It is taking place at Mudeford Quay, Christchurch.

Representatives will learn about such things as booming, clearing up coastal pollution, inshore recovery, and dealing with oil spills.