FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Christine Stewart

Applied Fabric Technologies Inc.

267-401-9447

cstewart@afti.com

The Gulf oil spill created enormous demand for all types of oil spill products, regardless of type, size or origin. Applied Fabric Technologies Inc. has tested numerous products at OHMSETT, including but not limited to, the Buster series of oil skimmers developed by NOFI. Three products in the Buster series were in high demand during the Gulf response: the CurrentBuster, the HarbourBuster, and the OceanBuster.

From day one of the Deepwater Horizon response, AFTI worked to locate as many Busters as were available. HarbourBusters, CurrentBusters, and OceanBusters were a scarce commodity when compared to the immediate demand.  More than 30 Buster systems were called into service from various sources around the world, including Norway, the Alaskan North Slope and Valdez, US Navy Supervisor of Salvage (SUP SALV), and NAVFAC.

In support of Tageson Maritime, who was called to set up and train operators, several AFTI representatives spent more than two months training and supervising boat and operation crews to operate and maintain the Buster systems. From the start of the spill, there were few operators in the U.S. who were familiar with the systems and available to respond immediately.

While debate surrounds the true amount of oil that spilled and the quantity of which was actually removed, clean-up or otherwise disposed of, all parties on the ground agree that the Busters collected large quantities of oil both near the shoreline and offshore, making it a versatile product for a wide range of response needs.

In the wake of the spill, it has come to light just how truly durable and effective these skimmers are. As a recognized source for repairs and spare parts, AFTI is working to recondition many of these skimmers that were lost or damaged due to the heavy workload during the height of the spill response.

In addition to testing at OHMSETT and in real-world response conditions, the CurrentBusters have also been put to the test during a program sponsored by Naval Facilities Engineering Command. The CurrentBuster was compared to several skimming packages to determine which system would offer the most cost-effective, easy-to-handle and efficient system to augment their harbor response skimming vessels. The CurrentBuster was demonstrated to be the most effective system of the systems tested – a result that was reinforced by its performance in the Gulf.

AFTI/Desmi Ro-Clean was a leading provider of fire boom throughout the response. Our patented fire boom, PyroBoom™, was called in from around the world to be used in response operations. Considered one of the easiest to use, and one of the more durable boom, thousands of feet of PyroBoom™ were deployed. AFTI provided technical support and training for the response team to ensure that the boom was used in the most effective manner, extending boom life to as much as a full week of burning. 

We continue to build boom for new orders and replacement orders and develop emergency response plans. For more information, please visit www.appliedfabric.com or call (716) 662-0632.