The Gulf crude oil leak......how will you be affected?

[Dave S]

No one on a national level is really talking about other areas of the Gulf in great detail because there are still a lot of unknowns and Louisiana is in the spotlight right now. But the sheer size of the spill means that it is likely to spread to a very large area over the next year or two and affect shorelines everywhere. Besides the obvious disaster to aquatic and bird life as well as a major blow to the livelihood of many, it has to affect boating too as time moves on. Those of you that live or boat along coastal shores in the Gulf have probably had a lot of local news stories about how your area might be affected. Would you care sharing some of those local stories with us and what your area thinks they might be up against? Also, how will your personal boating be affected as the spill spreads? Are any of you planning on haul outs or expecting to severly curtail your boating?

Dave

 

[jimandsue60]

We are on Sanibel Island a bit west of Ft Myers, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. We will be leaving the area for the summer in a week or 2 and be back in November. Our boat stays at an in and out dry storage while we are here. We do not work so employment is not an issue for us.

If this area is a polluted oily mess and will be for the foreseeable future we will most likely find a new wintering spot. We are here for the warmer weather, boating and good friends.

We are full time rv'ers and can move the motor home easily although the thought of trailering a 30' boat and trailer behind a 40' motorhome does not appeal to me. I guess I could have it moved professionally but I doubt it will come to that.

If there is an oily mess and is not to bad we will volunteer for clean up detail. Of course I do not plan to use our boat in oily water. Loop currents and hurricanes will have everyone guessing down here.

Lets all hope for the best.

Jim

 

[JV II]

One month and already twice the size of the Valdeez spill. They are predicting it will continue to gush oil until August. That's 2 more months and 4 more supertanker loads.

 

[Dave S]

Besides the current clean-up operation in Louisiana what about future clean ups in other areas? I can imagine that every coastal state in the Gulf from Texas to Florida and down into the Keys is concerned that crude will wash up on their beaches or into estuaries or other very sensitive areas. Are they ready for this? What is their plan if it happens? Are they all of a "wait and see" mind set right now?


Dave

 

[ghuskin]

How about the clean up advice here: IT CAN"T POSSIBLY BE THIS EASY------- CAN IT?
http://www.wimp.com/solutionoil/

 

[Fishnut]

It's all anyone talks about on the gulf coast. We have turtles and other sea animals floating up dead. No cause is given yet but the chemical dispersants has been mentioned. I few globs of oil have shown up in nearby waters but nothing confirmed as to the source.

If the oil hits the west coast I suspect it will be economically disasterous. The marine life and fishing industry will be decimated for years.

This is probably the most mismanaged disaster ever. It should be pretty obvious by now that BP doesn't have a clue. The President should have stepped in weeks ago and take over the clean up but our government is ill equipped to handle it either. So we are stuck here hoping the currents push it past us. Lord forbid that a hurricane hits the gulf this summer then we will have a real mess.