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September 15-16, 1999

Exercise Location : Streckeras Ranch North Bank of Yellowstone River, upstream of Huntley Diversion Dam.

Recommendations / Lessons Learned

Safety:  Co-op boat experienced operational problems during 1st day.  This emphasizes the need for more than one boat to effect a quick response and for safety.

By using the deflectors, nobody had to encroach upon the railroad right-of-way.  This is much safer since we don't have to go up and down the steep bank and we are away from the tracks when trains go by. (We still donot want to wear red however, as this could signal the railroad that an emergency is in effect.)

Communications were hindered by unreliable radios the first day.  Exxon's radios were utilized the second day with no problems except that we endedup with one unaccounted for. We need to have a better accounting system for radios during the exercise. (Perhaps a check-out sheet.)

Warning signs should be placed up and downstream to warn boaters of the boom across the river.

Operational:  When towing boom, tie the boom farirly close to the boat. This makes less work when hooking the boom to the previously anchored boom.  Also, do not set the wing on the last anchor until the downstream boom has been attached (same reason).  It may be beneficial to add some weight to the far end of the deflector wing to keep it down in the water (more).

A tension meter was attached between the upstream anchor point and the boom.  It was expected that very large forces would be placed upon the boom cable since we had snapped a 3/8" rope when pulling 100 foot sections across the river by hand in previous exercises.  However, the largest force registered was 1,430 lbs. when the downstream end of the boom was pulled to shore.  Arresting tension with all 1,800' of boom and anchors deployed was closer to 1,000 lbs.

General:  As compared with the previous deployment method, using deflectors allowed for deploying with:

• Fewer Men / Women
• Less Rope
• Less Time
• Less Exertion
• More use of mechanical power (boat)
• More opportunity for personnel to see all aspects of the deployment
• One day per trainee rather than the 2 days required in the past (i.e. a new crew each day)
• Greater morale against the workers
• Achieving the goal of booming the entire river