Clean up crew

A popcorn spill had HMCS Griffon naval reservists on alert to contain the fluffy snack before it caused any environmental damage.

The popcorn proved a suitable replacement for training purposes for the part-time and full-time reservists at the HMCS Griffon dock on Sunday. The popcorn simulated a potential toxic spill that HMCS Griffon reservists may face while patrolling the waterways.

Generally, the Thunder Bay fire department handles any spills, but the reservists could be called at any time to lend a hand if the situation calls for it.

Leading seman Joanne Ryan took control of the boat used for the clean up. She navigated around the spill and contained most of it in the orange spill pads. A part-time reservist, Ryan moved to Nipigon from Thunder Bay to work as a teacher. She said she enjoys the chance to go out onto the water and the training helps to ensure that her skills are sharp so she can respond to potential spills quickly and aware of her own impact on the environment.

"We have to be really be careful of our impact because we’re working with the environment so closely," Ryan said. "Often when the forces do make a booboo, the boats are huge so it’s really important that we’re really careful and take all necessary precautions."

Master seaman Braydan Beck said their job is to ensure Lake Superior stays safe and clean. Beck, a 10-year veteran with HMCS Griffon, said the naval reservists want to take care of the environment and that’s why it’s important to practice these kinds of drills.

"All this is a trick training exercise for us," Beck said. "We have a junior boat driver and she did quite well. She pulled the boom around and put some spill pads down around most of the spill. Taking care of the environment is very important to us. This is our home."

HMCS Griffon Lt.-Cmdr. John Bell said spill exercise was part of the weekend long training that the reservists were doing. The training consisted of security patrols including boarding of another boat as well as the spill containment, he said.

Most of the reservists had received training on port security already and the weekend training served as a refresher course, he said.

"The navy is responsible for all kinds of events on the water and that includes our environment," Bell said. "If there is a spill some of our people, including myself, are trained do to shoreline clean up assessments along with the Canadian coast guard."