Every oil spill response to damaged beaches includes cleaning up the contaminated sand. 

Previously the only option was to use large, construction vehicles to remove huge swaths of beach sand.  This is no longer the case. 

Beach cleaners with a 3-wheel design are highly effective and maneuverable.  They are offered in both self-propelled and tractor pulled models.  Both types have the same unique sifting method and allow for sand screening, or the complete removal of the badly contaminated sand. 

Mike McPherson with Cherrington Beachcleaners describes their unique, infinite hydraulically controlled depth setting ability to precisely set the depth of screening.  “This allows the screening apparatus to work just the top ½” to ¾” of the beach to minimize the negative impact on naturally pristine beaches.  The self-propelled models are of a 3-wheel design with high flotation tires and zero turn ability.  This design and method are far more effective than the alternative use of heavy construction equipment for the remediation of the sand.”

The manufacturing design of beach cleaners for beach sand remediation has progressed and has been proven.  But the key, in the case of oil contamination, “is to remove only the oily layer, and maintain as much of the beach sand below as possible.  This requires a machine with a light footprint that is able to skim off the contaminated layer”, said McPherson. 

This method is recognized as providing the most efficient and effective method of oil slabs, tar balls, and oil soaked, contaminated sand removal.  The design uses a hydraulically controlled digger point that engages with the beach surface and lifts the sand up onto the screen bed from a depth set by the operator.  A set of flights carries the contaminated sand, slab oil, or tar balls over the screen. Everything larger than the selected screen-hole size is then carried to the hopper for disposal.

When only skimming is necessary (for removing slab oil), the oscillator system is turned off to allow the sand to be carried up to the hopper in sheets, using a 5 mm screen or solid screening sheets that are easily and quickly interchangeable.   The beach screener is able to pick up oil pools and slabs one day, and tar balls mixed in the sand the next day.  The machine removes debris and contaminants from the sand while leaving the lower clean layer of sand on the beach.  

The “Lift and Screen” system allows for easy changeover of screen sizes for multiple clean-up applications that carry over into general year-round Beachcleaning.

Flexible, durable, and advanced design screeners are the top choice in beach oil spill clean-up.  The “beach friendly “Lift and Screen” method reduces unnecessary removal of sand from the beach.  During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Cherrington self-propelled Model 5000 beach screener worked on Grand Isle, LA non-stop for eleven months cleaning up the contaminated beaches and restored them to clean, sandy beaches for beach patrons to enjoy today. “Lift and Screen” designed beach screeners remain the preferred choice for oil spill clean-up on beaches everywhere.

 (Cherrington, Edited by Topco)