Oil Spill News

[waterworldly]

I was wondering if anyone could give FIRST HAND reports. Please give your location and what you are really seeing on the ground. Please do not clog the thread with comments etc about fault, future, you know. Looking for real info for all of us that may ply the gulf in the future. It would also be interesting to hear what local officials etc are feeding to the local boating-fishing communities. Many thanks in advance, and my sympathy to those whose living depends on that beautiful water.

[AnchorageGuy]

BoatUS has put up a page to keep everyone informed on the latest info.
BoatUS.com: Oil Spill Resources

[waterworldly]

Thanks for the link. Such a tragedy, such beautiful areas.

[David M]

Originally Posted by waterworldly

Please do not clog the thread with comments etc about fault, future, you know.

You can ask, but it probably won't happen.

[JordanRHughes]

Thanks for the resources.

[Ocean Girl]

FYI- Just came back from a gulf crossing outta Galveston, no oil sighted, we are west and up stream of the spill (thankfully), I live aboard and have not had any official info or directives given for my area, but hear hints here and there that the spill does have more westerly travel than expected.
Erika

[satdiver]

I'm getting ready to head out tomorrow for a week to the rig to do an inspection job via an atmospheric dive. I'll report what I can when I get back. A friend of mine is the contracting consultant for this disaster. As far as I know the team is doing everything they can do humanly possible to fix this shitshow. The rigs in the Gulf are pretty well maintained for the most part. If you think about all the offshore rigs in the world and the occurrence of these type of disasters you'll gather that this is a very rare incident.

[blueayes]

Computer models show oil leaking from a damaged well in the Gulf of Mexico could wind up on the East Coast and even get carried on currents across the Atlantic Ocean toward Europe.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research models showed Thursday that oil could enter the Gulf's loop current, go around the tip of Florida and as far north as Cape Hatteras, N.C. According to researchers, oil could threaten East Coast beaches by early July, but they cautioned the models were not a forecast.
The oil could then head by Bermuda on its way to Europe.
Martin Visbeck, a research team member with the University of Kiel in Germany, says it is unlikely any oil reaching Europe would be thick enough to be harmful.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[satdiver]

Got back a few days ago, they are drilling two horizontal wells and the inspection I did at 1871 feet was tons of mud. We talked a little about spiral blast on the pipe but it is risky with an ROV and not going to be a likely option. No solutions have been presented yet that BP can use with confidence. The spill could last through September. Wish I could get the ADS to 5k but not that advanced yet. Heading back in a 6 days for another dive.

[Sailmonkey]

I was just out on a shell platform, 15ish miles south of venice LA. surounding the platform was sheen and there were oil stringers under the surface. the oil is still for the most part east of the mississippi, but quickly approaching the loop current.

[blueayes]

Check this out. Remember the 1979 gulf oil spill and that was in 200' of water. Only thing worked then was relief well.
1979 news reports on Mexican oil gusher may as well be from 2010: Maddow | Raw Story

[starfish62]

I realize that this isn't "first hand," but it is NOAA's 24-48-72 forecast for the oil movement. It seems to be using the best scientists out there:

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Sailmonkey]

for those who want to know more about the rig and it's equipment

Transocean :: Deepwater Horizon

keep in mind the bop stack on this rig is rated at 15,000 psi.........not a trivial thing. if the wellhead pressure is anywhere near this one can eaisly see why managing this well 5000' underwater is difficult.

I am not attempting to say that it's excusable in any way for this to happen, just attempting to spread as much understanding as possible.

[Sailmonkey]

fyi

if you have any interest in watching a feed from and ROV
Live feeds from Ocean Intervention III - ROV2

[Ocean Girl]

The NOAA link is excellent, thanks for that.