A FICTIONAL oil spill put coastal services to the test to see how they would cope in an emergency.

Staff from Brightlingsea Harbour Authority sprang into action following a pretend ship fire and oil spill in Brightlingsea Creek.

Crews had to pull fire casualties - in the form of dummies - from the water, while a May Day call went out for the Marine Response Counter Pollution Service to set up floating barriers to contain the oil.

Flares were thrown into the water to mimic the fire and drifting bits of flare indicated how far the imaginary oil slick would spread.

Additional setbacks, including a fictional car crash delaying the arrival of equipment and onlooker getting in the water to help oil-covered birds, were also thrown in.

A real life obstacle in the form of an unusually high tidal surge kept harbour team on their toes.

The newly appointed deputy harbourmaster David Boughton led the team.

He said: "It was certainly a worthwhile exercise.

“I was particularly pleased with the turnout from the emergency services and other agencies and grateful for their commitment and support.

“The harbour team has definitely found it a very constructive experience and we have learnt new skills, all of which will assist us in the future.

“It has highlighted our desire to do additional resilience training with the local coastguard, police, fire and rescue services.

“Overall I'm very proud of how our team has responded."

Jim Addison, chairman of Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners, said: "It has been a most constructive and useful day for both Brightlingsea Harbour Authority and our partners in major incident control.

“In particular, I would like to praise the Brightlingsea Harbour team who undertook this exercise in the wake of the recent sudden death of harbour master Steve Chick.

“Postponing the exercise in light of Steve's death was considered, but the team, led by our newly-appointed Deputy harbour master David Boughton felt confident the event should go ahead - a decision that has been more than vindicated today.”

Assessors praised the team for their communication, speed, level of engagement with emergency services and positive attitude to learning.