Ultra-Rapid Boom

It’s both a supplement and a paradigm shift in oil spill response operations. Typically, booms and operators arrive hours after the spill occurs, making the devastating consequences unavoidable. Ultra-Rapid Boom supplements this response with a portable, lightweight barrier that can be kept onsite for immediate deployment. With Ultra-Rapid Boom, oil spills can be contained in minutes with only two operators and a small boat, drastically improving clean-up capacity and the effectiveness of the full response.

It’s similar to a boom in that it’s deployed in the water to contain oil. However, as opposed to regular booms that tow the oil that’s already spread, Ultra-Rapid Boom stops spills from spreading right when it occurs. It’s deployed around the spill until it’s fully contained. This way the oil is kept from spreading into large areas or split into multiple spots. Ultra-Rapid Boom is also the smallest and lightest oil spill containment solution available and can be stored onsite to be deployed immediately by anyone.

Yes, regular booms are often cheaper but they are not an effective first response solution. The cost of booms used during a spill is only a small portion of the total spill cost and they can take 3-12 hours to be deployed escalating potential damage. Regular booms require large trained teams, expensive equipment, and multiple boats. In addition, clean-up costs, damage costs, and reputational risks must be considered. Ultra-Rapid Boom drastically reduces the damage of the spill with its immediate response capabilities, significantly lowering these costs without the extra manpower and equipment. And finally, consider the cost of the spill if you don’t contain it effectively.

No. The damage during these critical hours grows exponentially. Oil spreads and splits over a large area into an extremely thin layer over six hours. The volatile materials will evaporate quickly, while the rest of the oil coalesces and sinks down the water column. An immediate response would prevent this leading to much more effective clean-up and less damage.

There is no limit because it’s modular. Each 50 ft cartridge can be easily connected to the next.

The unique patented design and geometry enable Ultra-Rapid Boom to ride the waves rather than fighting them. The smart design creates very low drag hardly affected by the wind. With its submerged angular-shaped ballast, Ultra-Rapid Boom reduces entrainment significantly.

Yes. But the advantage of the Ultra-Rapid Boom is that it doesn’t need to be towed. It’s deployed while encircling the spill. It is towable and comes with two powerful straps and special handles that enable easy maneuvering.

Ultra-Rapid Boom underwent two separate weeks of successful tests at OHMSETT and was tested offshore in the Mediterranean Sea. It was also tested in the Pacific. In all cases, it was found to be very effective.

Ultra-Rapid Boom was tested at Sea State 4 up to 6 ft (2 m) wave heights, wind speeds of up to 25 knots, and between 32° F-86° F (0° C-30° C) water temperatures.

Each system is 15 m and is stored in cartridges weighing only 19.6 kg. With its compact size and weight, the cartridges require very little storage space. It can be carried by hand, car, compact boat, or helicopter and deployed by two operators and a small lifeboat size vessel.

Properly stored equipment does not need maintenance. We recommend checking the cartridges and stainless steel components once a year. Ultra-Rapid Boom should be checked for water absorption. If no problems were identified, the cartridges should be repacked. If the stainless steel (marine grade 316), is rusted, remove the rust with a suitable rust remover. Do not leave sharp edges that might damage Ultra-Rapid Boom.

Yes. Its specific gravity is like water so it rides the waves as part of the ocean and won’t sink. It will not capsize but jump back to its natural position.

The draft’s height is 12 cm. The skirt is 20 cm. Because it’s built of small sections that are connected together with flexible material, it easily follows the curvature of the water. The revolutionary design was tested at OHMSETT and it kept a 7.5 cm thick layer of oil. The test results statement was: “No Losses,” meaning no oil went under or above Ultra-Rapid Boom.

At the end of June 2018, the Ultra-Rapid Boom was used to help fight the giant spill at the port of Rotterdam (a 200-ton spill). A  1000 m Ultra-Rapid Boom was deployed in under two hours. The Ultra-Rapid Boom was also used in an innovative technologies demonstration at the natural oil seep offshore the Pacific.

Ultra-Rapid Boom is built with a double strap inner “backbone” that withstands a pulling power of up to 1.1 tons — more than needed for deployment and containment. Ultra-Rapid Boom’s external layer is a custom-designed multi-laminate film. Boats can actually pass over it and the boom resurfaces intact. We have towed 16 components connected to each other (400m) from one side. At OHMSETT towing was tested to 0.7 knots.