Early Week 5/29 Oil Patrol

The operation is simple, but not very well publicized. I am part of a small group of recon boats. Along with the USCG, we scour the area for the stray oil and dispersant. The planes and helicopters can get the big stuff, but you have to be one the water to find the smaller patches (not really that small). These patches will break off from the fingers of oil and pop up in unexpected places. When we find them, shrimp boats with oil skimming equipment are sent to catch it before it hits any land. At the same time, Oyster boats and smaller support boats are putting up plastic and absorbent oil boom to protect the land.

These Pelicans, Egret, and Roseate Spoonbill nest behind the protective boom and our watchful eyes.

Unfortunately, you can't stop the Pelicans from feeding. Very few days are free from oiled Pelicans on the rock jetties of the MRGO. Usually, I only see one to three and Wildlife officials are getting better at catching them to be cleaned.

Ironlically, we came across an amazing rainbow stretching across the horizon. The weather was deteriorating, but we were in protected water by then and on our way home.