A massive, 280-metre long oil defence boom, which is also an oil collecting device, is being deployed today from a cable south east of Trefusis point where it will remain for another two weeks.

The Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) are carrying out an exercise testing the planned response to oil pollution in Falmouth’s inner harbour this month.

The training exercise, which will be based on a simulated oil pollution incident, will see FHC and its partners in pollution response put specialist oil spill training and response plans into practice.

The clearly visible orange inflatable boom will be laid in the shape of a V with the extremities of the boom marked and lit for mariners to avoid the structure both day and night.

FHC staff laid the boom using an advanced computer mooring system which will be monitored throughout the deployment. At night the boom will be illuminated with glo-sticks placed at regular intervals.

FHC is responsible for the operation and regulation of Falmouth Port and is required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to carry out a number of drills and exercises annually as well as a major exercise every three years.

The harbour board regularly train for and practice pollution response techniques. It will be putting into practice knowledge gained from two European research projects the team is involved in to improve protection of the environment: Oil Spill Prevention and Response at Local Scales (SPRES) and Improvements of Shorelines Defences Against Marine Pollution (ISDAMP).

Captain Duncan Paul, deputy harbour master, said: “Our pollution responders work hard training for incidents and in this exercise we’ll put the team’s knowledge and skills into action.

“We are looking forward to putting into practice the recent research findings from our European partners so we can further advance the efficiency of response techniques and share best practice. No oil, or any other pollutants, are used or released in any exercises or drills.

“During the period when the boom is deployed in the water we are asking that mariners navigate with caution in the vicinity, avoiding passing between the south cardinal mark and lit yellow buoy.”