Gulf ports open despite oil sheen

Gulf ports open despite oil sheen    Ports along the Gulf of Mexico reported that vessels are encountering light amounts of oil, presumably from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig spill, but say it hasn’t delayed ship traffic.
   The Port of New Orleans said, “on Wednesday, pilots have started observing a light sheen of oil in the vicinity of Southwest Pass, but it hasn't lead to any ships needing to be cleaned.”
   'As the spill is getting closer, we are continuing to coordinate our efforts with the Coast Guard, the pilots and other maritime stakeholders to ensure that — if necessary — the effort to clean ships' hulls will go smoothly and keep delays to a minimum,' said Gary LaGrange, president and chief executive officer of the port.
   Projections prepared 1 p.m. Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that light to medium oil sheen is expected to reach the entrance to Southwest Pass by Thursday morning. The forecast shows the situation improving over the following two days with a small area of light sheen projecting west of the entrance to Southwest Pass on Saturday morning.
   The port said ships will be inspected upon arrival at Southwest Pass to determine if they need to be cleaned. The Coast Guard said ships that keep moving at a safe pace through light oil sheen may not require cleaning.
   Two cleaning stations on the Mississippi River have been established in order to better facilitate the flow of maritime commerce. The cleaning stations are located at Boothville and at Burrwood.
   If a ship is heavily oiled, it will be cleaned at Boothville, where it can anchor. Booms will be placed around the ship before it is pressure washed.
   The new location at Burrwood will be ready Thursday morning so that ships that are lightly oiled can be cleaned while they are in transit. The Burrwood location is in Southwest Pass, about 15 miles below Head of Passes.
   Meanwhile, the Alabama State Port Authority said “vessel activity continues without interruption at the Port of Mobile.”
   The port said “one vessel approaching Mobile reported this morning had passed through several areas of light oil. The vessel stopped at the anchorage and was inspected by the Coast Guard, who found no stain or indication of any residual oil on the vessel. The vessel is proceeding into Mobile.”
   Mobile said for the next 72 hours, projections are for the oil sheen to stay well offshore Mobile.    The heavier concentrations are much further to the west, closer to the origin.
   The Alabama State Port Authority said, “as a contingency, the boats to perform offshore decontamination, if needed, are en route and should be on station sometime tomorrow.    There will be a total of five boats that will be available for operations off Gulfport, Pascagoula and Mobile. It is our hope that these boats are not needed at all.” ' Chris Dupin