The U.S. Navy will test its readiness to prevent oil spills in Hood Canal on Thursday outside of Port Gamble.

North Kitsap residents can expect to see boats, platforms and booms in the water, according to to a Navy new release.

Crews from the Navy’s Spill Management Team will practice using containment booms to protect Hood Canal shoreline from hazardous chemicals, as part of the state’s Geographic Response Plans program. The regional response plans dictate spill containment techniques and prioritize areas to protect in the event of a spill. These can include wildlife habitat, marinas, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas.

Hood Canal is used heavily by both Navy and civilian ships. The Navy will respond to spills from civilian boats if its assistance is requested by other agencies, but it also drills regularly to handle spills from its own ships or bases, said Navy Environmental Public Affairs Officer Sheila Murray.

“The Navy cleans up anything it puts in the water,” Murray said. “Even if it’s just a teaspoon.”

The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe contained a small fuel spill in Port Gamble Bay in May after a 60-foot boat washed ashore in a windstorm.