U.S. NAVY SALVAGE REPORT DEEPWATER HORIZON ... - ESSM

Chapter 5: Operations
Figure 5-9. VOSS Class XI Sorbent Belt Oil Skimmer deployed on OSV
RENE pulling through a thick pocket of oil.
NOFI High Speed Current Buster VOSS. The Current Buster is similar in that it uses boom
material to herd the oil but the boom, manufactured by NOFI, is shaped to maximize oil capture
and containment. The High Speed Current Buster Skimmer consists of a front sweep (standard
opening 65 ft.) for guiding oil product into the combined collector/skimming device and then into
the separator pocket where the oil is recovered by a simple pump or a skimmer. SUPSALV
outfits the Current Buster system with 3 skimmers, a Lamor Model LWS-50 weir-type skimmer, a
Douglas Engineering Skim-Pak SK0620 vacuum system, and a Lamor Minimax 12 brush wheeltype
skimmer. Any of these skimmers can be used to pump or vacuum oil from the pocket to the
support vessel. An outrigger assembly consisting of three light weight truss sections with an
outboard float or a paravane was used provide separation to the end of the boom. A hydraulic
power module operates the skimmer and pumps. The Current Buster is unique in the fact that it
is capable of skimming at speeds up to 4 knots without significant loss of oil.
5-3.2 Deployment / Employment
During this operation, SUPSALV began ocean skimming onboard the leased vessel OSV
VANGUARD. They loaded the equipment and configured the vessel with two High Speed
Current Busters in Gulfport, MS for both port and starboard operations on 6 May and transited
offshore reporting to USCG Cutter OAK (WLB-211) for assignment. The VOSS team operated
several days looking for oil but did not find any of significance. During this period, the Coast
Guard tasked the VANGUARD with investigating reported oil sightings due to her quick transit
speeds. These diversions prevented them from completing the 50 + mile transit to the well head
5-10