Experimentation with boom angle may be necessary to prevent loss of oil beneath the boom. Boom can be tied off to the shore or anchored to floating objects on the water. It is best not to tie boom directly to an anchor line, because the current will pull the boom under water. A sufficient number of anchors of an appropriate weight and type must be used. Boom can be placed in many configurations depending on the situation.
Containment boom extends across a waterbody such as a river or brook, and is limited to slow waters.
Collection boom is used to divert product to a convenient collection point. Access to the collection point must be considered. Deflection boom is used to direct product around a critical area. This figure shows several methods of booming. In an emergency, containment boom can be fabricated from almost anything that floats at least partially submerged and is resistant to oil or the floating chemical being contained.