Gulf Oil Spill Resources 5-31-10

Below are the resources surged to date to mitigate the impacts of the spill:
Approximately 1,300 vessels are responding on site, including skimmers, tugs, barges, and recovery vessels to assist in containment and cleanup efforts—in addition to dozens of aircraft, remotely operated vehicles, and multiple mobile offshore drilling units.
More than 1.85 million feet of containment boom and 1.25 million feet of sorbent boom have been deployed to contain the spill—and approximately 300,000 feet of containment boom and 1 million feet of sorbent boom are available.
Approximately 11 million gallons of an oil-water mix have been recovered.
Approximately 840,000 gallons of total dispersant have been deployed—700,000 on the surface and 140,000 subsea. More than 380,000 gallons are available.
17 staging areas are in place and ready to protect sensitive shorelines, including: Dauphin Island, Ala., Orange Beach, Ala., Theodore, Ala., Panama City, Fla., Pensacola, Fla., Port St. Joe, Fla., St. Marks, Fla., Amelia, La., Cocodrie, La., Grand Isle, La., Shell Beach, La., Slidell, La., St. Mary, La.; Venice, La., Biloxi, Miss., Pascagoula, Miss., and Pass Christian, Miss.
For More Up To Date Information, go to www.DestinHomeRealtor.com

Gulf Oil Spill--Jim Cantore

Jim Cantore was in Panama City Beach on Wednesday, and this is a quote from the master of disaster:
“What oil?” Cantore said. “Unless a hurricane comes in from the west or you have a very strong southwest front come through (the Gulf), that oil’s not coming here. Not this time of year.”It seems that with his review of currents and standard weather conditions for this area this time of year he has drawn his conclusions. If he is right, this is great news for our local economy, visitors, and everyone who enjoys the lifestyle offered in this part of the Gulf Coast! Go Jim!

Wildlife May Not Be Getting Needed Assistance

Today I was told by an associate about an oiled bird on the sand in Gulf Shores Alabama. When they followed the directions to call the wildlife number on the website, they were told there was no one to assist them. They called the game warden and were told the same thing. They called the police and were not given assistance. They decided the bird needed saving, and proceeded to take it back to their home and wash with Dawn soap and returned it to the beach.

Everyone has been told not to interfere with wildlife and to contact those experts who know what to do. Residents are increasingly more upset by the disconnect between the directions from BP and what they feel they morally have to do. The authorities need to be more sensitive to the words, ideas, and concern of the local residents--many times the locals are much more knowledgable about their own environment than the "college educated" professionals who don't have a vested interest in the community.

Destin Oil Spill Water Quality May 26 2010

Gulf Oil Spill May 26 2010

According to the NOAA oil plume model, the oil spill is 55 miles southwest of Pensacola, 130 miles from Port St. Joe, and 290 miles from Clearwater.
• No direct oil impacts from any part of the plume are expected across the Florida coastline in the next 72 hours. Winds this morning continue to be generally light and easterly. This pattern will continue through today with easterly winds at or below 10 knots. Seas will remain 2 feet or below, and conditions will be good for deepwater operations. Tonight, winds will become light and variable, shifting to northerly and northwesterly tomorrow. Wind speeds will remain similar, however, and seas of 1-2 feet will continue through Friday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will again be present, but will again be mostly confined to land areas.
Current Situation:
• Florida beaches are open.
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President Obama signs executive order to establish commission on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

President Obama signs executive order to establish commission on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: "President Obama announced that on Friday he signed an executive order establishing the bipartisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling." I suppose it's better late than never. But, what are we going to do about this one!! Shame on the Federal Government for not getting scientists and engineers involved IMMEDIATELY to solve the crisis. They act like it is not a crisis--it IS if you live here and your livelihood depends on the Gulf of Mexico. Fisherman are having to go to the homeless shelters in Fort Walton Beach--this commission isn't going to help them! Destin Florida is a vacationer's paradise, and there is tremendous fear that this is coming to an abrupt end--and along with it, an economy that has already been hit with real estate issues!

Destin Air Quality on May 21, 2010

I have seen numerous posts, particularly on skytruth.org, regarding the "smell of oil" in Destin, Florida--I was in Destin all day yesterday at the beach and at Harborwalk village. There was no noticeable smell of oil. It may be that because people are expecting to smell it that even if it is car exhaust or a gas station or someone is burning a tiki tourch, an assumption could be made that they smell oil from the oil spill. I also spoke with some people who run boating excursions, who had full boats yesterday out in the gulf, which would have been much closer to the oil than we were on land, and I heard no complaints of an "oil smell." We need to be careful not to cry wolf until the wolf is actually here!! At this point the oil is still at least 75 miles from Destin--that's a long way for an "odor" to travel. I uploaded a picture I took of the water yesterday as well, and it is clear as always.

Destin Oil Spill Update for Friday May 21, 2010

As of last night, as reported on CNN, BP is stating that the plan for a "top fill" should be taking place this weekend. With the oil now infiltrating the wetlands of Southern Louisiana, we don't have to look too far to see what could happen to the entire gulf coast if this well isn't stopped soon. If people think it will just affect the economy of gulf coast towns and our fishing industry, we only need to look to the fact that the oil has already reached the loop current that circles the Florida coastline and could take the oil right up the eastern seaboard of the United States. Since most of the population lives along the eastern seaboard, and most of the fish that we eat comes from the Gulf of Mexico, the overwhelming effect of this catastrophe is not even imaginable. Greed has done it again!! Go BP!

Conditions on May 20, 2010-Destin

I was at the beach today checking on the conditions, and the water is clear, blue, and warm. A number of people were swimming, kayaking, and out on jet skis. I checked in with the fleet at Harborwalk Village, and business was good--the snorkel trip and the sunset cruise were booked full for today.

BP's CEO is Unbelievable!!!

Wow, take a look at this-- if you live on the Gulf Coast and see your livelihood and the value of your property and even your financial viability threatened, get a load of this!!"The giant oil spill in the gulf (still gushing thousands of gallons of oil a day into the sea) and the hundreds of thousands of gallons of "dispersant" BP has pumped into the water to combat the slick are "tiny" compared to the "very big ocean."Wow!! we need to all respond to Mr Hayward in a very big way!! I wonder if all the sea life they are destroying is enjoying the "very big ocean!"