Traffic at the port is increasing and so is the risk of oil spills. Not just bad for the environment, oil spills can shut down entire waterways.
You may remember about two years ago when Heavy Petroleum leaked out of a ship leaving the port; polluting the waterway and killing wildlife it was weeks before the river was completely cleaned up.
The Coast Guard here in Savannah says they learned a lot from that spill and today at the International Oil Spill Conference they shared some of the new technology they’re using.
News Three’s Alice Massimi got a first hand look at what new tools they have on hand.

The U.S. Coast Guard wasn’t just patrolling the waterways Monday they were also showing people from around the Globe how they handle oil spills.    
“Today’s demonstration of equipment shows some of the latest technology and techniques that can be brought to bear in an oil spill environment,” says LCDR Kevin Lynn.
One of them a new skimming device which is made specifically for fast moving currents. Than there’s an oil pollution probe, which feeds back oil sample information, sea surface temperature and it’s location via satellite.     
But not all of the new technology is necessarily used on the water some of the new technology is used in places like a command center, which needs to be set up whenever there is an oil spill so that all of those responding to an oil spill can communicate.
“We want to know what the priorities are to protective, sensitive resources and the shoreline and be able to protect those and respond as quickly as possible,” says Bradford Benggio of the NOAA Hazmat Team.
And with the Port of Savannah deemed one of the fastest growing ports in the country being prepared for oil spills is even more important.  
“As you grow its important to know there are procedures in place, there is a system designed to protect not only the environment but the stake holders in the economy that is found there,” explains Commander Anthony Lloyd of US Coast Guard.
So the Coast Guard keeps a close eye on the Port.
“Preparedness is the key and that includes keeping pulse on what port activities are coming. Are we getting new Petro-Chemical facilities are the containers ports growing what type of traffic is that going to bring in,” says Lloyd.
It’s that attitude and attentiveness that will make sure those tasked with cleaning spills up will be ready.