BARRIERS ARE COMMONLY USED TO SURROUND AND CONTAIN SPILLED OIL IN THE SEA AND TO DIVERT ITS PASSAGE FROM SENSITIVE RESOURCES OR TO A COLLECTION POINT. THE SUCCESS OF BARRIER OPERATIONS MAY BE LIMITED BY THE RAPID SPREAD OF FLOATING OIL AND THE EFFECTS OF CURRENTS, TIDES, WIND AND WAVES. EFFECTIVE BARRIER DESIGN AND A WELL PLANNED AND COORDINATED RESPONSE CAN REDUCE THESE PROBLEMS.
