Mechanical recovery equipment has proven effective during response operations in the context of large pollution incidents, e.g. the Prestige, even in bad weather. Nevertheless, under certain weather conditions mechanical recovery equipment cannot operate safely. Other techniques, which are less weather dependent (i.e. dispersant application), are being considered for some of the EMSA vessels.
Detailed information about the equipment installed on board each vessel may be found in the Vessel Inventory and the Vessel Technical Specifications.