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Ayles Fernie Underslung Dispersant Spray System
![STRATUS over Moray Firth](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Inverness-020322-283(1).webp?width=6720&height=4480&name=Inverness-020322-283(1).webp)
Project Title: Successful testing Aerial Underslung Dispersant Spray System
Products/Services: Aerial Dispersant Spray System
Project Undertaken: From 2019
Industry Sector: Dispersant Spray System
What was the problem?
The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) required a method for dealing with potential oil spills along its extensive coastline, much of which falls within the Arctic Circle. Using aerial dispersants is an effective option for difficult to reach areas, however having an adapted aircraft on standby is a very expensive option. Existing underslung solutions for helicopters were not meeting all the requirements of the NCA. A new solution was needed.
How was the Darcy Group involved?
Ayles Fernie, part of the Darcy Group, first met representatives from the NCA at a trade show. The NCA advised us that they would shortly be putting out to tender for the supply of a bespoke underslung helicopter dispersant spray system. We already had an excellent track record supplying our marine and fixed-wing aircraft dispersant spray systems, the former already having been supplied to the NCA. We applied and were excited to take on the challenge of an underslung system when we won the tender.
We designed the system from scratch after consulting with the NCA and taking a full brief of their requirements, as well as helicopter pilots and aerodynamics experts, so we could design an effective system that does exactly what you need it to do.
We called our helicopter underslung spray system, STRATUS.
There were many factors that we had to take into consideration. Cold conditions affect the viscosity of the dispersant, which makes it harder to spray. So, the design team needed to investigate insulating the tank. They also looked at ways to prevent the spray nozzles from freezing. The materials used to construct the STRATUS were very important due to the location of use – they needed to be robust and lightweight. We chose to use marine-grade materials, due to our experience with marine applications.
![Robert McGivern photo (1)](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Robert%20McGivern%20photo%20(1).png?width=900&height=900&name=Robert%20McGivern%20photo%20(1).png)
Meet the expert: Rob McGivern
"I was involved from the very first design sketches. From looking into mass and load calculations to building the first prototype. I even drove the van with the STRATUS on a trailer up to Scotland for flight testing. To say we got some funny looks on the motorway would be an understatement!”
Read the full interview
The NCA requested that the system be operable from inside the cockpit. One of the reasons for this is that the helicopter might have to travel some distance before reaching the site of the spill. It’s essential that the diesel engine powering the system doesn’t run out of fuel before reaching its destination, so the system can be switched on when required from within the helicopter.
The most important factor was the safety of the helicopter and ground Crew. Plus ensuring the STRATUS system could be safely loaded and transported via a helicopter. We also needed to ensure the load would be stable and fly in the correct direction. We spoke with several helicopter operators to ensure all risks were understood and mitigated.
Once we understood the risks, we engaged with aerodynamic experts to ensure the underslung load would be predictable and behave as the pilot expected.
So far, we have designed, manufactured and supplied both 2000-litre and 1000-litre variants – both versions have undergone rigorous testing over the Moray Firth in Scotland.
Check out the video below of the STRATUS during testing.
The system has been tested with several pilots, who have all given excellent feedback, stating the system was very stable up to 90 knots both in the forward direction and during banked turns.
What was the outcome?
The final solution delivered to the NCA included:
- The STRATUS 2000 Litre Tank with 10m Spray arms
- A trailer for easy manoeuvrability
- a 20ft liveried container to store the trailer and tank
- ground support equipment including pumps and hoses to get dispersant from the storage tanks into the STRATUS tank.
That first system produced for the NCA is now based in Svalbard, in the Arctic Circle.
The STRATUS started life as a bespoke project, but it is now available to order. The tank is available with and without insulation, depending on the climate in the location of its intended use, and a tank size of up to 3,000 litres is an option.
Find out more about the STRATUS system.
Ayles Fernie is currently working on the MKII version of STRATUS taking on board the improvements that we wanted to make to the system, plus the feedback from the NCA. It is through use that we can continually improve our products to make sure they work in the most efficient and effective ways.
![Innovation Award - Darcy](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Innovation%20Award%20-%20Darcy.jpeg?width=3024&height=2489&name=Innovation%20Award%20-%20Darcy.jpeg)
Award-winning product
Our innovative new product was recognised at the 2023 UK and Ireland Spill Association annual awards in two categories.
We won:
Innovation of the Year
Manufacturer of the Year
Congratulations to the whole team involved in this complex project.
Get in touch
Recent Case Studies
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
Issues Identified on Site
Fuel staining to ground area from previous leaks / spills on site.
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Oil%20spill.webp?width=4500&height=3000&name=Oil%20spill.webp)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
Project Overview: Protection of spill kits
Project Title: Training and advise on spill kit use
Products/Services: Spill response training
Project Undertaken: July 2011
Industry Sector: Manufacturing
Overview
Darcy’s client had an issue with its employees using emergency spill kits for everyday cleaning rather than for use in emergency situations.
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16).webp?width=1000&height=1000&name=Untitled%20design%20(16).webp)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
Carried out by our experienced NEBOSH qualified staff, we provided the customer with a detailed report on all areas of their site:
- Identifying areas at risk
- Recommending preventative measures
- Recommending procedures for responding to incidents
- Recommending appropriate equipment for prevention and response
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BioCat.jpeg?width=600&height=450&name=BioCat.jpeg)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
Products/Services: Provision of spill containment and clean up absorbents
Project Undertaken: October 2011
Industry Sector: Spill clean up company
Overview
Darcy's client, a major spill response company, required bespoke containment and absorbent products.
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1036963939.webp?width=3245&height=2163&name=shutterstock_1036963939.webp)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
- Project Overview: Airport fuel spill clean up
- Project Title: BioCat cleans up fuel spill in aircraft standing areas
- Products/Services: BioCat hydrocarbon absorbent
- Project Undertaken: July 2011
- Industry Sector: Aviation
Overview
- One of the UK’s top airports recently requested a demonstration of the BioCat Recycling Centres to deal with the issues of aircraft on the stands waiting for passengers leaking fuel during refuelling operations.
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-459279727.webp?width=1254&height=836&name=iStock-459279727.webp)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
Overview
Due to our relationship through previous works on site, we were asked by a leading UK airport to assess current bunded areas on site and potential issues with current bunding systems.
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-92410011.webp?width=500&height=335&name=iStock-92410011.webp)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
Project Overview: Bund structural testing and chemical HDPE bund lining
Project Title: Bund lining of chemical bunded areas
Products/Services: HDPE lining within ATEX areas
Project Undertaken: July to September 2011
Industry Sector: Chemical
Overview
Our client had been asked by the EA to show that their chemical bunded areas are fit for purpose and meet the required regulations.
Darcy undertook a full structural survey on all bunded areas and marked the areas that provided the greatest area of concern.
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/03Envirovalve.jpeg?width=500&height=667&name=03Envirovalve.jpeg)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Group/cropped-darcyspillcare.png?width=592&height=332&name=cropped-darcyspillcare.png)
Project Overview: Manual drainage protection
Project Title: Supply of portable drain bladders
Project Undertaken: 2011
Industry Sector: Transport and Distribution centre
Overview
Darcy’s client, a large transport and distribution centre, needed a cost effective, manually deployable product to stop major spill’s leaving the site and retaining any liquid in the drain network so that an on- site clear up can be coordinated.
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/02Spill-.jpeg?width=600&height=423&name=02Spill-.jpeg)
Products/Services: Aerial Dispersant Spray System
Project Undertaken: July 2022
Industry Sector: Dispersant Spray Systems
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Inverness-020322-283.jpg?width=6720&height=4480&name=Inverness-020322-283.jpg)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Darcy%20Spillcare%20logo.jpg?width=1000&height=562&name=Darcy%20Spillcare%20logo.jpg)
Project Title: Poole Harbour
Products/Services: Absorbent oil booms and oil absorbent pom poms
Project Undertaken: March 2023
Industry Sector: Onshore Oil Field
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/RedSprout/oil-absorbents%20(1).jpeg?width=590&height=320&name=oil-absorbents%20(1).jpeg)
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/AquaSentry/Logo/Aqua%20Sentry%20Logo.jpg?width=1000&height=506&name=Aqua%20Sentry%20Logo.jpg)
Products/Services: Draintector, bund water control unit, interceptor alarms
Project Undertaken: April 2022
Industry Sector: Data centre
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/RedSprout/Data%20centre.png?width=1024&height=683&name=Data%20centre.png)
Project Undertaken: From November 2023
Industry Sector: Healthcare
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Maintenance%20spill%20kit%20on%20site%20(1).png?width=640&height=480&name=Maintenance%20spill%20kit%20on%20site%20(1).png)
![IM&S Givaudan](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/RedSprout/Givaudan%20logo%20small.png?width=185&height=50&name=Givaudan%20logo%20small.png)
Senior Site Buyer
IM&S Givaudan
![](https://www.darcy.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/RedSprout/Chemical%20absorbents%20featured%20image%20size.png?width=590&height=320&name=Chemical%20absorbents%20featured%20image%20size.png)