Emergency services will take part in an oil spill exercise in the east end today.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment, Marine and Ports staff, the coastguard and firefighters will take part in the drill at Whalebone Bay, Ferry Reach, to test the island’s ability to contain an oil spill.

The exercise has been organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

A ministry spokesman said: “This incident management exercise — with significant equipment deployment — builds upon oil spill training that was provided through funding from the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency in preparation for the forthcoming Triple ‘I’ audit by the International Maritime Organisation.”

Other agencies participating in the exercise are public works teams and representatives from the RUBiS and Sol energy companies.

The spokesman added: “This exercise will also test the initial notification procedure to the US National Response Centre in the event of assistance being required under a memorandum of understanding.”

Members of the public are asked to avoid the Whalebone Bay area, both on land and at sea, while the exercise is under way.