St. George's Harbour on Wednesday.

Esso Bermuda's new oil recovery vessel will be put to use in the Marine Pollution Contingency Committee's training exercise. Government and private agencies will use booms as well as the vessel for the mock clean-up.

The exercise will be a highlight of an extensive two-day workshop.

First day's training will take place at the Horticultural Hall at the Botanical Gardens tomorrow. It will feature presentations of new techniques and equipment by oil spill troubleshooter Mr. Steve Kaufmann, of Sunshine Technology, Connecticut.

There will be talk on the US Coast Guard's new policies and how they might affect Bermuda. And the recent dramas of oil spills will also be discussed.

Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Dr. James Burnett-Herkes will be coordinating the workshop. He said exercises were usually planned every year to keep up to date with latest techniques and gear.

This will be the first full-scale training using the Esso vessel.

Dr. Burnett-Herkes said the Marine Pollution Contingency Plan had been in place more than 12 years. It was tested periodically to pick out areas needing improvement because of changes in equipment, technology, and personnel.

Marine Pollution Contingency Committee members come from several Government departments, the Police and Fire Services, Bermuda Regiment, and the US Naval Air Station.

Oil companies, shipping agencies, contractors, divers and the Bermuda Biological Station are also represented.