2023 Boom Rodeo

The Clean Rivers Cooperative Annual Boom Rodeo took place on September 28th this year.  Even though this event was scheduled a little later in the season than previous years, the cooler and rainier weather didn’t slow anyone down. Twelve teams participated in this friendly competition that was comprised of 9 different stations to demonstrate skills such as boat operation, boom deployment, knot tying, equipment set up and a trivia game.

As the teams rotated through the stations, they were shuttled between the Chevron Dock, which was the muster point for the on-water activities, and the Clean Rivers Cooperative Operations Training Facility, where the shoreside activities were positioned. On-water activities included a timed obstacle course, the deployment of 2 different GRP’s and a timed boom corralling activity.  Shoreside activities consisted of knot tying instruction with a timed competition, set up and take down of a decontamination station, timed assembly of a fast tank, and a timed assembly of a skimmer and pump system. In the training room, two teams came together to participate in a game of Marine Jeopardy that included various categories such as spill response, boat operation, safety, and Clean Rivers history. Response Contractor, US Ecology provided instructors who worked with Clean Rivers Staff for both the on-water and shoreside activities.

Even though the Boom Rodeo is a fun and friendly competition between member teams, it is also an important learning and training opportunity. The on-water activities afford Members the chance to practice skills that they do not usually exercise in their daily work and GRP deployment activities at the Boom Rodeo can count as a facility deployment credit by the State of Oregon. Members also get to work with other response equipment, such as skimmers and portable storage tanks that would be essential to quickly deploy in an actual spill event.  These are the skills needed to maintain an effective response team.

The more fun you can have while training the better! To keep everyone’s energy going, participants enjoyed a BBQ lunch that was provided at the Clean Rivers Operations Facility. Members look forward to the Rodeo each year and the comradery it brings. There are some rivalries between teams as everyone wants to make it into the winner’s circle. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be awarded with the coveted Boom Rodeo Belt Buckles that will be presented at the 20023 Member Meeting in December.