Islands’ Oil Spill Association’s eyes in the sky

New drone technology enhances Salish Sea oil response Ed.: The essays, analyses and opinions presented as Community Voices express the perspectives of their authors on topics of interest and importance to the community and are not intended to reflect perspectives on behalf of Salish Current. Wednesday morning, Sept. 16, was glorious in Deer Harbor: bright sunshine glinting on the water, color from early-turning leaves, light breeze out of the north, pleasant temperatures. In short, a perfect day for…an oil spill response drill! Islands’ Oil Spill Association, or IOSA, trains monthly throughout San Juan County. On this mid-September morning, IOSA Deputy Director Rick Winings supervised eight Tier One (response-trained) volunteers from Orcas and San Juan Islands and a visiting participant from the staff of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in responding to a simulated emergency at Cayou Quay Marina: diesel fuel “burping” from a boat that had just sunk in the marina.

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