Oil Slick In The Gulf

[The Weather Guy]

The recent explosion of the oil rig in the gulf has claimed 11 lives and may affect thousands. As the oil slick grows many people are worrying not only about the environmental effects, but the economic ones. NOAA is working hard to try contain the leak while BP tries to plug it. One way people can help is donating hair to a company that creates them into pads.

Our response has been instantaneous and sustained. We would like to have more assets. We would like to be doing more. We are throwing everything at it that we physically can.

The oil rig had failed pipe pressure testing, the blow out preventer and the dead-mans switch were hooked to a dead battery. An investigation is currently under way. Another concern is that if the leak is not capped soon ic could get in the loop current and travel into the Atlantic ocean.

Oil slick forecast - (Updated daily)
http://ocg6.marine.usf.edu/~liu/Drifters/latest_rtofs.htm

Any body have any thoughts on that?

**UPDATE**
Check out this video.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36800673/ns/us_news-environment/#37242125

[jtmal0723]

I feel that BP and the government are NOT doing enough to fix this problem. There is far too much finger pointing going on and threats to raise OUR taxes to fix this. This isn't our, the tax payer's, fault.

[phw115wvwx]

The sad part is that some other countries force oil rigs to have additional emergency shut-offs.  I know other rigs have an acoustic signal backup where a ship can send a sound wave towards the valve on the ocean floor, and it would shut itself off automatically.  That kind of technology would have been nice to have here.  I'm with Jesse in saying that all parties are responsible.

[Eric]

The sad part is that some other countries force oil rigs to have additional emergency shut-offs.  I know other rigs have an acoustic signal backup where a ship can send a sound wave towards the valve on the ocean floor, and it would shut itself off automatically.  That kind of technology would have been nice to have here.

Yes, I've read a lot of criticism that the U.S. doesn't require them.  Unfortunately, profit was put before safety.

[TWCToday]

There is a valve on the floor but its unable to be properly shut off. I feel BP really is the only one doing a thing. BP is only chartering the rigg anyway. The government is sweeping this under the table and protecting their image imo. Seems like they haven't learned much since Katrina with disasters.

[The Weather Guy]

I feel that BP and the government are NOT doing enough to fix this problem. There is far too much finger pointing going on and threats to raise OUR taxes to fix this. This isn't our, the tax payer's, fault.

You are one of the many people who agree on this. They should do MORE! This is causing so many problems. It might even reach the Atlantic!!

[Zach]

It has gotten into the loop current, as stated by the local cheif meteorologist at WTVT tonight, and it looks like it could impact us if a hurricane were to hit us in June (like I see that happening).

[Bryan]

Seems like they haven't learned much since Katrina with disasters.

This country is prepared for nothing.

[The Weather Guy]

Seems like they haven't learned much since Katrina with disasters.

This country is prepared for nothing.

I kinda agree with you.

[The Weather Guy]

The recent explosion of the oil rig in the gulf has claimed 11 lives and may affect thousands. As the oil slick grows many people are worrying not only about the environmental effects, but the economic ones. NOAA is working hard to try contain the leak while BP tries to plug it. One way people can help is donating hair to a company that creates them into pads.

Our response has been instantaneous and sustained. We would like to have more assets. We would like to be doing more. We are throwing everything at it that we physically can.

The oil rig had failed pipe pressure testing, the blow out preventer and the dead-mans switch were hooked to a dead battery. An investigation is currently under way. Another concern is that if the leak is not capped soon ic could get in the loop current and travel into the Atlantic ocean.

Oil slick forecast - (Updated daily)
http://ocg6.marine.usf.edu/~liu/Drifters/latest_rtofs.htm

Any body have any thoughts on that?

The forecast shows it is coming through the loop current! I may be affected!

[Eric]

I can only imagine what horrific damage related to the oil a landfalling hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico could cause.  I don't even want to think about that, actually!

[The Weather Guy]

I can only imagine what horrific damage related to the oil a landfalling hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico could cause.  I don't even want to think about that, actually!

Neither do I.

[The Weather Guy]

**New Information**

Some tar balls have been found in key west. They are currently trying to find out what is causing this.

[The Weather Guy]

Here's an article about the tar balls in key west.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/17/coast-guard-tar-balls-key-west/

**Tar balls are not from bp oil slick.

[phw115wvwx]

Please limit the double posting you're doing here.  You can just make edits to your previous posts if you have updates.