[StBernard] Skimming Operations ongoing at Chandeleur Islands: Emulsified oil found in the Gulf two miles from the southern end of the barrier islands

[Westley Annis]

Skimming Operations ongoing at Chandeleur Islands 

Emulsified oil found in the Gulf two miles from the southern end of the
barrier islands


Flyovers conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the presence of
emulsified oil in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 2 miles from the southern
end of the Chandeleur Islands. Three bay boats able to perform skimming
operations deployed from Venice to address the oil in the area of the
emulsified oil. So far, 114 barrels of the emulsified oil/water mixture have
been recovered in St. Bernard. Skimming operations continued into the
afternoon and evening to recover more oil.

 

St. Bernard Parish deployed a total of 51 boats from all three command
centers to conduct either boom repair/maintenance or boom deployment, St.
Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said. Additionally, a trawling vessel
sent to trawl for tar balls recovered none today. The U.S. Coast Guard
deployed two manned vessels to conduct "fast attack" operations in the event
of an oil sighting.

 

Boom maintenance, deployment, and cleaning, continued in the area of the
Chandeleur Islands today. Surveillance and boom repair operations were
conducted in the waters of Brush Island and Door Point. Crews deployed 2,000
feet of soft absorbent boom to the Lake Machias area.

 

HazMat classes continued today for the fishermen involved in the Vessels of
Opportunity Program. Anyone assigned to a team rotation as a captain that
has not been scheduled for this training must call 504-569-1905 to schedule
training. Captains also must provide the names and numbers of their
deckhands so that they may be called and scheduled for training.

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