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  • #16
    Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

    Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
    <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=393 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

    As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the Deepwater Horizon spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
    Situation: Sunday 16 May

    Riser Insertion Tube Leak Mitigation Tactic is Tested </AGL:CONTAINER>

    <AGL:CONTAINER>The Unified Area Command reports that overnight the Riser Insertion Tube Tool was successfully tested and inserted into the leaking riser, capturing some amounts of oil and gas. The oil was stored on board the Discoverer Enterprise drill ship 5,000 feet above on the water?s surface, and natural gas was burned through a flare system on board the ship.
    

The test was halted temporarily when the tube was dislodged, but technicians have fully inspected the system and have re-inserted the tool. While not collecting all of the leaking oil, this tool is an important step in reducing the amount of oil being released into Gulf waters.
    Secretary Salazar and Secretary Napolitano issued a joint statement on these efforts: "Today, BP attempted another test to contain some of the oil leaking from the riser. This technique is not a solution to the problem, and it is not yet clear how successful it may be. We are closely monitoring BP?s test with the hope that it will contain some of the oil, but at the same time, federal scientists are continuing to provide oversight and expertise to BP as they move forward with other strategies to contain the spill and stop the flow of oil. We will not rest until BP permanently seals the wellhead, the spill is cleaned up, and the communities and natural resources of the Gulf Coast are restored and made whole."
    Aerial Dispersant Observer Training NOAA?s Office of Response and Restoration conducted aerial dispersant observer training today. The training will prepare flight crews to identify the heaviest bands of oil and other features to improve the effectiveness of dispersant sorties. </AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER>Response to date </AGL:CONTAINER>


    <AGL:CONTAINER>
    • Personnel were quickly deployed and more than 19,000 are currently responding to protect the shoreline and wildlife.
    • More than 650 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 1.25 million feet of containment boom and 440,000 feet of sorbent boom have been deployed to contain the spill?and approximately 285,000 feet of containment boom and 900,000 feet of sorbent boom are available.
    • Approximately 6.3 million gallons of an oil-water mix have been recovered.
    • Approximately 600,000 gallons of dispersant have been deployed. More than 280,000 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.
    </AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). From past experience, NOAA is concerned about oil impacts to fish, shellfish, marine mammals, turtles, birds and other sensitive resources, as well as their habitats, including wetlands, mudflats, beaches, bottom sediments and the water column. Any lost uses of these resources, for example, fishery and beach closures, will also be evaluated. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


    <AGL:CONTAINER>
    • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066.
    • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 or 985.902.5240.
    • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816.
    • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401.
    • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816.
    • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858.
    • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511.
    </AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

    </TD></TR><TR><TD>
    • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
    </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
    • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
    </TD></TR><TR><TD>
    • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
    </TD></TR><TR><TD>
    • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
    </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top

    </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

    Comment

    • #17
      Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

      Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
      <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=391 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

      As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the Deepwater Horizon spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
      Situation: Monday 17 May </AGL:CONTAINER>

      <AGL:CONTAINER>Rear Admiral Landry helped share the news about the successful riser insertion over the weekend that BP is saying is producing oil from the riser. Landry also said it was going to be a good week for continuing to fight the oil spill at sea. The weather is good for controlled burns, dispersants at the surface and subsea and the Mississippi River is high and pushing the oil back out into the Gulf.

      A meeting is planned with federal wildlife experts who will discuss the latest numbers of wildlife that may have been affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the potential for broader ecosystem impacts, as well as the ongoing response efforts to protect the Gulf of Mexico?s national wildlife refuges, national parks and species.

      NOAA activities
      • NOAA spill specialists continue to advise the U.S. Coast Guard on cleanup options as well as advising all affected federal, state and local partners on sensitive marine resources at risk in this area of the Gulf of Mexico.
      • NOAA is predicting the oil spill?s trajectory and the path of the layers of oil floating on the surface. NOAA experts are conducting aerial surveys to update trajectory maps and visually track the movement of the spill.
      • NOAA?s National Weather Service is providing regular weather forecasts to a joint federal command center in Louisiana to facilitate operations planning and response efforts
      • For current information on fishery closures, please visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center website at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill.htm
      • NOAA is conducting a natural resource damage assessment and the focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (or pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected.
      </AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER>Response to date </AGL:CONTAINER>


      <AGL:CONTAINER>
      • Total response vessels: 559
      • 
Containment Boom deployed: over 1.2 million feet

      • Containment boom available: nearly 200,000 feet

      • Sorbent boom deployed: over 385,000 feet
      • 
Sorbent boom available: over 870,000 feet

      • Boom deployed: over 1.5 million feet (regular plus sorbent and fire boom)
      • Boom available: over 1 million feet (regular plus sorbent and boom)
      • Oily water recovered: more than 6 million gallons
      • Dispersant used: over 517,000 gallon

      • Dispersant available: more than 250,000 gallons

      • Overall personnel responding: more than 17,000
      </AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). From past experience, NOAA is concerned about oil impacts to fish, shellfish, marine mammals, turtles, birds and other sensitive resources, as well as their habitats, including wetlands, mudflats, beaches, bottom sediments and the water column. Any lost uses of these resources, for example, fishery and beach closures, will also be evaluated. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


      <AGL:CONTAINER>
      • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066.
      • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 or 985.902.5240.
      • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816.
      • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401.
      • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816.
      • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858.
      • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511.
      </AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

      </TD></TR><TR><TD>
      • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
      </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
      • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
      </TD></TR><TR><TD>
      • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
      </TD></TR><TR><TD>
      • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
      </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top

      </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
      </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
      -Nelson Mandela

      Comment

      • #18
        Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

        Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
        <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=387 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

        As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the Deepwater Horizon spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
        Situation: Tuesday 18 May </AGL:CONTAINER>

        <AGL:CONTAINER>Fishery closures
        NOAA extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf into the northern portion of the loop current as a precautionary measure to ensure seafood from the Gulf will remain safe for consumers. The closed area is now slightly less than 19 percent of the Gulf of Mexico federal waters.
        Loop Current

        Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator, spoke today at a press briefing on the subject of the Loop current. Dr. Lubchenco's remarks are summarized below:
        • The Loop Current is an area of warm water that comes up from the Caribbean, flowing past the Yucatan Peninsula and into the Gulf of Mexico. From there, it generally curves east across the Gulf and then flows south parallel to the west coast of Florida. As it flows between Florida and Cuba it becomes the Florida Current which moves through the Florida Straits, where it finally joins the Gulf Stream to travel up the Atlantic Coast.
        • Both the location of the Loop Current and location of the oil slick are dynamic. Both move around from day to day. The present location of the oil is identified daily through analysis of satellite imagery, observer overflights with helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, as well as advanced sensing technology on aircraft.
        • Satellite imagery on May 17 indicates that the main bulk of the oil is dozens of miles away from the Loop Current, but that a tendril of light oil has been transported down close to the Loop Current. NOAA is conducting aerial observations today to determine with certainty whether oil has actually entered the Loop Current.
        • NOAA conducts aerial observations every day to observe the plume from the air. These observations help develop NOAA?s trajectory models. Additionally today, the NOAA P-3 research aircraft will be dropping sensors to get better observations of the location of the loop current.
        • The proximity of the South East tendril of oil to the Loop Current indicates that oil is increasingly likely to become entrained. When that occurs, oil could reach the Florida Straits in 8 to 10 days.
        • Once entrained in the Loop Current, persistent onshore winds and/or the oil getting into an eddy on the edge of the Loop Current would be required to bring the oil onto the Florida shoreline.
        • During this transit time, the natural processes of evaporation and dispersion would reduce the oil volume significantly. The remaining oil could be composed of long strips of emulsified oil and mostly as ?tar balls?.
        • The Loop Current is dynamic. At present, at the top end of the Loop Current there is a counter-clockwise eddy. Thus, some amount of any oil drawn into the Loop Current would likely remain in the eddy, heading to the northeast, and some would enter the main Loop Current, where it might eventually head to the Florida Strait.
        • NOAA will continue to closely monitor this portion of the oil over the next days to weeks. I emphasize that the bulk of the oil remains well to the north of the Loop Current, near the well site and towards the west and northwest from there. Currently only the southern tip of the slick, consisting of sheens and potentially unobserved tarballs, is in the vicinity of the Loop Current.
        • In response to the possibility oil entering the Loop Current, NOAA is acting with an abundance of caution and announcing an expansion of the fisheries closure area at 12 PM today. The revised closure will be effective at 6 PM this evening and is just over 45,000 square miles, or just about 19% of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Details will be available on our homepage, noaa.gov.
        • The expansion of the fishing closure is one part of a pro-active stance that NOAA is taking to ensure public and seafood safety. To ensure the safety of seafood harvested from the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA is working with the Food and Drug Administration to re-align its assets to implement a broad-scaled seafood sampling plan. The plan includes sampling seafood from inside and outside of the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling. Also, NOAA is increasing its monitoring of the biological implications of oil and dispersants.
        • State Governors and International colleagues have been alerted of the closure area expansion and the joint NOAA/FDA seafood sampling plan.
        • We have also created a virtual Incident Command Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., that is ready to engage quickly when needed.
        • There is no indication yet whether the oil might impact another country. We will notify and consult other nations as appropriate. The United States and Mexico are currently sharing information under the MEXUS Plan, a bilateral agreement on pollution incidents in coastal waters.
        • NOAA is engaging experts within and outside government to develop long-term oil movement forecasts. Predicting where the oil may go if the release continues allows for adequate response measures and resources to be placed in appropriate locations.
        • From the onset, the federal response has been aggressive, strategic and science-based. This oil spill is unprecedented and dynamic. As situations change and we gain new information, we will continue to reevaluate our response strategies, actions, and planning.
        • NOAA stands shoulder to shoulder with Gulf communities during these challenging times.

        </AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER>Response to date </AGL:CONTAINER>


        <AGL:CONTAINER>
        • Total response vessels: 950
        • Containment Boom deployed: over 1.36 million feet

        • Containment boom available: nearly 350,000 feet

        • Sorbent boom deployed: over 480,000 feet
        • Sorbent boom available: over 800,000 feet

        • Boom deployed: over 1.8 million feet (regular plus sorbent boom)
        • Boom available: over 1.15 million feet (regular plus sorbent boom)
        • Oily water recovered: more than 7.65 million gallons
        • Dispersant used: over 590,000 gallon
s
        • Dispersant available: more than 300,000 gallons

        • Overall personnel responding: more than 20,000
        • 17 staging areas are in place and ready to protect sensitive shorelines
        </AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). From past experience, NOAA is concerned about oil impacts to fish, shellfish, marine mammals, turtles, birds and other sensitive resources, as well as their habitats, including wetlands, mudflats, beaches, bottom sediments and the water column. Any lost uses of these resources, for example, fishery and beach closures, will also be evaluated. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


        <AGL:CONTAINER>
        • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066.
        • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
        • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 or 985.902.5240.
        • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816.
        • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401.
        • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816.
        • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858.
        • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511.
        </AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

        </TD></TR><TR><TD>
        • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
        </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
        • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
        </TD></TR><TR><TD>
        • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
        </TD></TR><TR><TD>
        • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
        </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top

        </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
        </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
        -Nelson Mandela

        Comment

        • #19
          Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

          Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
          <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=380 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

          As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the Deepwater Horizon spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
          Situation: Wednesday 19 May </AGL:CONTAINER>

          <AGL:CONTAINER>The Joint Information Center (JIC) issued a press release stating that NOAA's latest observations indicate that a small portion of the oil slick has reached the Loop Current in the form of light to very light sheens. NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator Charles Henry answered press questions on loop current. He noted that in the time it would take for oil to travel to the vicinity of the Florida Straits, any oil would be highly weathered and both the natural process of evaporation and the application of chemical dispersants would reduce the oil volume significantly.
          

NOAA spill specialists continue to advise the U.S. Coast Guard on cleanup options as well as advising all affected federal, state and local partners on sensitive marine resources at risk in this area of the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA experts are conducting aerial surveys to update trajectory maps and visually track the movement of the spill.
          Admiral Mary Landry noted that weather has aided spill cleanup in recent days, allowing for several controlled burns and collection of fairly high concentrations of oil-water mix. Admiral Landry closed the press conference on an optimistic note. ?If top kill works we will demob,? she says. ?Let?s all cross our fingers and say our prayers.? She added that in any event, the unprecedented federal, state and local government and private sector response would continue to address the impacts of this spill of national significance on the people and environment of the Gulf. BP is preparing for the top kill (shooting mud down the well to halt the spill) operation expected next week. The riser insertion pipe continues to produce oil to the surface. </AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=386 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). From past experience, NOAA is concerned about oil impacts to fish, shellfish, marine mammals, turtles, birds and other sensitive resources, as well as their habitats, including wetlands, mudflats, beaches, bottom sediments and the water column. Any lost uses of these resources, for example, fishery and beach closures, will also be evaluated. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


          <AGL:CONTAINER>
          • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
          • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
          • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
          • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
          • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
          • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
          • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
          • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
          </AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

          </TD></TR><TR><TD>
          • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
          </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
          • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
          </TD></TR><TR><TD>
          • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
          </TD></TR><TR><TD>
          • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
          </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
          24, 48 and 72 hour Trajectory Forecast Maps are produced twice daily. Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Maps are produced once daily.
          </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
          </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
          -Nelson Mandela

          Comment

          • #20
            Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

            Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
            <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=392 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

            As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
            Situation: Thursday 20 May </AGL:CONTAINER>

            <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA spill specialists continue to advise the U.S. Coast Guard on cleanup options as well as advising all affected federal, state and local partners on sensitive marine resources at risk in this area of the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA oceanographers continue to release updated trajectory maps showing the predicted trajectory of the oil slick.
            Today
            A press teleconference call was held with NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco to discuss the BP oil spill?s trajectory in relation to the Loop Current and preparations for NOAA research flight investigating the Loop Current. Questions included Loop Current trajectory, Loop Current eddies, flow rate from the leaking well, and dispersants. Audio will be posted tomorrow.

            The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a directive requiring BP to identify and use a less toxic and more effective dispersant from the list of EPA authorized dispersants.
            There continues to be significant interest in flow rates at the source of the spill site. BP is preparing for the top kill (shooting mud down the well to halt the spill) operation expected next week. Riser insertion pipe continues to produce oil to the surface. </AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=392 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER>Response to date as of May 19 </AGL:CONTAINER>


            <AGL:CONTAINER>
            • Total response vessels: more than 1040
            • Containment boom deployed: more than 1.43 million feet
            • Containment boom available: more than 370,000 feet
            • Sorbent boom deployed: more than 560,000 feet
            • Sorbent boom available: more than 1.28 million feet
            • Total boom deployed: nearly 2 million feet (regular plus sorbent boom)
            • Total boom available: more than 1.65 million feet (regular plus sorbent boom)
            • Oily water recovered: more than 8.37 million gallons
            • Surface dispersant used: approximately 600,000 gallons
            • Subsea dispersant used: approximately 55,000
            • Total dispersant used: approximately 655,000
            • Dispersant available: more than 340,000 gallons
            • Overall personnel responding: more than 24,700
            </AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). From past experience, NOAA is concerned about oil impacts to fish, shellfish, marine mammals, turtles, birds and other sensitive resources, as well as their habitats, including wetlands, mudflats, beaches, bottom sediments and the water column. Any lost uses of these resources, for example, fishery and beach closures, will also be evaluated. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


            <AGL:CONTAINER>
            • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
            • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
            • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
            • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
            • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
            • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
            • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
            • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
            </AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

            </TD></TR><TR><TD>
            • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
            </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
            • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
            </TD></TR><TR><TD>
            • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
            </TD></TR><TR><TD>
            • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
            </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
            24, 48 and 72 hour Trajectory Forecast Maps are produced twice daily. Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Maps are produced once daily.
            </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
            </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
            -Nelson Mandela

            Comment

            • #21
              Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

              Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
              <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=397 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

              As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
              Situation: Friday 21 May </AGL:CONTAINER>

              <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA spill specialists continue to advise the U.S. Coast Guard on cleanup options as well as advising all affected federal, state, and local partners on sensitive marine resources at risk in this area of the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA oceanographers continue to release updated trajectory maps showing the predicted trajectory of the oil slick.

              Marine Mammal and Sea Turtles
              • Three oiled turtles were captured during the dedicated sea turtle on-water surveys this week: two small Kemp?s Ridley and a larger sub adult Loggerhead. All three turtles were returned to shore and transported to the Audubon Aquarium were they are undergoing de-oiling and care.
              • The total number of sea turtle strandings documented since April 30 within the ?designated spill area? is 183 (173 dead and 10 alive, of which two died later in rehab). None of the stranded turtles documented to date have had visible evidence of external oil.
              • There have been 18 dead dolphins confirmed since April 30 within the designated spill area, none of which have had visible external or internal signs of oiling.
              </AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=399 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>

              <AGL:CONTAINER>
NOAA Fisheries made a slight adjustment to the fishery closure area in the Gulf of Mexico based on the latest oil spill trajectories. The new closure area measures 48,005 square miles, which is just under 20% of the Gulf of Mexico EEZ, compared to the May 18 closure comprising 45,728 square miles, or about 19% of the Gulf of Mexico EEZ. NOAA?s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) is supporting the response work in the Gulf with four aircraft from OMAO?s Aircraft Operations Center housed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
 </AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). From past experience, NOAA is concerned about oil impacts to fish, shellfish, marine mammals, turtles, birds and other sensitive resources, as well as their habitats, including wetlands, mudflats, beaches, bottom sediments and the water column. Any lost uses of these resources, for example, fishery and beach closures, will also be evaluated. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


              <AGL:CONTAINER>
              • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
              • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
              • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
              • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
              • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
              • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
              • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
              • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
              </AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

              </TD></TR><TR><TD>
              • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
              </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
              • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
              </TD></TR><TR><TD>
              • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
              </TD></TR><TR><TD>
              • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
              </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
              24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore surface oil forecasts are produced once daily.
              </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
              </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
              -Nelson Mandela

              Comment

              • #22
                Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=392 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                Situation: Saturday 22 May </AGL:CONTAINER>

                <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA spill specialists continue to advise the U.S. Coast Guard on cleanup options as well as advising all affected federal, state, and local partners on sensitive marine resources at risk in this area of the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA oceanographers continue to release updated trajectory maps showing the predicted trajectory of the oil slick.
                Several overflights were conducted today to help researchers forecast the trajectory of the oil spill over the next 72 hours. On one flight, a significant amount of oil was observed to the southeast of the Chandeleur Islands.
                Winds are currently from the south to southeast, and are predicted to remain so through Sunday. At this time, no strong winds are predicted that would affect operations, such as skimming or controlled burning.

                Marine Mammal and Sea Turtles
                • Three oiled turtles were captured during the dedicated sea turtle on-water surveys this week: two small Kemp?s Ridley and a larger sub adult Loggerhead. All three turtles were returned to shore and transported to the Audubon Aquarium were they are undergoing de-oiling and care.
                • The total number of sea turtle strandings documented since April 30 within the ?designated spill area? is 187 (176 dead and 11 alive, of which two died later in rehab). None of the stranded turtles documented to date have had visible evidence of external oil.
                • There have been 18 dead dolphins confirmed since April 30 within the designated spill area, none of which have had visible external or internal signs of oiling.
                </AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=392 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected.
                </AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


                <AGL:CONTAINER>
                • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
                • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                </AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

                </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
                </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
                • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
                24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore surface oil forecasts are produced once daily.
                </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
                </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                -Nelson Mandela

                Comment

                • #23
                  Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                  Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                  <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=397 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                  As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                  <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER>
                  Updated daily
                  Situation: Sunday May 23 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                  <AGL:CONTAINER>Shoreline assessments and overflights continued today as planned. As anticipated, areas of oil moved closer to the Chandeleur Islands today. With winds forecast from the north, this will tend to push the oil away from shore. However, the threat of oil impacting the coastline remains high. 
 The Unified Area Command for the Deepwater Horizon/BP Response announced it will not use hair boom in its response efforts. While this suggestion was submitted to BP as an alternative method for containing and recovering the oil spill, it was not deemed feasible after a technical evaluation. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=398 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER>Marine Mammal and Sea Turtles Status Effective May 22, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>


                  <AGL:CONTAINER>
                  • Three oiled turtles were captured during the dedicated sea turtle on-water surveys this past week: two small Kemp?s Ridley and a larger sub adult Loggerhead. All three turtles were returned to shore and transported to the Audubon Aquarium were they are undergoing de-oiling and care.
                  • The total number of sea turtle strandings documented since April 30
 within the ?designated spill area? is 204 (193 dead and 11 alive (of 
 which two died in rehab). None of the stranded turtles documented to 
 date have had visible evidence of external oil.
                  • There have been 19 dead dolphins confirmed since April 30 within the designated spill area, none of which have had visible external or internal signs of oiling.
                  </AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


                  <AGL:CONTAINER>
                  • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                  • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
                  • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                  • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                  • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                  • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                  • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                  • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                  </AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

                  </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                  • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
                  </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
                  • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                  </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                  • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                  </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                  • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                  </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                  <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
                  24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore surface oil forecasts are produced once daily.
                  </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
                  </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
                  "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                  -Nelson Mandela

                  Comment

                  • #24
                    Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                    Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                    <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=397 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                    As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                    Situation: May 24, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                    <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA scientists are participating on a flow rate task force. The National Incident Command's Flow Rate Technical Group (FRTG) is designed to support the response and inform the public by providing scientifically validated information about the amount of oil flowing from BP's leaking oil well while ensuring the vital efforts to cap the leak are not impeded. Today, a briefing was held in Mobile, Alabama, to educate TV Weather personnel on NOAA Trajectory Prediction maps and how forecasts are created. There were 22 participants. For further information, see: NOAA Trajectory Maps Presentation (Document format: PDF, size: 1.3 M). </AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=397 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA by the Numbers in the Gulf Region May 24, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>


                    <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA aircraft deployed:
                    • N42RF Orion (WP-3D), Current Station: Tampa, Fla., Mission: Loop Current study; First Flight: 8 May, flew May 21. During its May 21 mission 62 vertical oceanographic profiles (AXBT, AXCP, and AXCTD) and eight atmospheric profiles (GPS dropwindsondes) were collected. The next flight is planned for Friday, May 28.
                    • N46RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current station: Mobile, Ala., Began flying marine mammal surveys as of 28 Apr. Its mission changed on May 5 to multispectral scanning to study oil density and thickness.
                    • N56RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current Station: Mobile, Ala., Mission: Marine mammal surveys, First Flight: 5 May
                    • N68RF King Air (BE-350ER), Current Station: New Orleans, La., Mission: Coastal photography and mapping, First Flight: 5 May
                    NOAA and contract research vessels:
                    • NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter
                      GUNTER completed planned operations on May 22 and transitioned to Pascagoula, Miss. Ship has several necessary repair items to address and departure is currently scheduled for Thursday, May 27.
                      Objective: characterize the water column in the vicinity of the main release to inform response and fishery closure decisions, protect human health
                    • NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson
                      TJ departed Galveston, Texas at 1400 CDT on Sunday for a mission to deploy US Navy current drifters, profiling floats, and profiling gliders in the vicinity of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The instruments will be used by scientists to monitor the surface and deep currents that are distributing the oil.
                    • R/V Pelican (NOAA contracted)
                      Mission 1: May 2 ? May 16
                      Supported by NOAA Research Ocean Exploration Program
                      Bottom sediment sampling and water column work in the spill area
                      Water sampling, new sensors including a Wetlabs fluorometer intended to detect oil at depth
                      Mission 2: May 16 ? ongoing
                      Dr. Nancy Rabalais of the NOAA-supported Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium is leading team to evaluate factors that lead to the formation the northern Gulf hypoxic zone every summer.
                      Examining hydrographic, chemical and biological properties along the Terrebonne Bay and taking water and sediment samples for analysis of oil content.
                    • F/V HST, R/V Caretta (NOAA contracted)
                      At dock
                    • F/V Beau Rivage (NOAA contracted)
                      May 22: Trawling in closed fishing areas to collect baseline samples for the seafood inspection labs
                    • R/V Brooks McCall (BP contracted; NOAA scientist on board)
                      (Previous missions started May 7) May 21 ? 23, May 27 ? 30, June 3 ? 5, June 9-11
                      Evaluating chemical dispersant efficacy and mapping the sub-surface oil plume. Intended to determine the effectiveness of the chemical dispersant that BP is injecting into the subsea plume.
                    • R/V Ocean Veritas (BP contracted; NOAA scientists on board)
                      May 24 ? 26, May 31 ? June 2, June 6 ? 9
                      Characterizing water column in the vicinity of the main release to inform response and monitor dispersant effectiveness.
                    • R/V Weatherbird (NSF/NOAA/USF)
                      Water sampling at depth and deployment of glider to provide samples and detection of oil to see if sub-surface materials have entered the Loop Current in dispersed but detectable quantities.
                    • R/V Walton Smith (no NOAA affiliation, NSF/University of Miami & Georgia)
                      May 27 ? June 9
                      Characterizing water column in the vicinity of the main release to inform response and monitor dispersant effectiveness.
                    • R/V Bold (no NOAA affiliation EPA sponsored)
                      Not definite at this point. Notional planning stage.
                    • R/V Gandy continues work off the Fla. Middle Grounds
                    • Other NOAA vessels in area include OREGON II and PISCES
                    Glider & AUV summary:
                    Three gliders are in the water and are operated primarily by universities and institutions through their own funding and/or redirecting other federal funds. All are NOAA IOOS partners and have been keeping NOAA advised of their activities.
                    SCAT teams:
                    Two aerial reconnaissance teams and three SCAT teams were operational on May 23.
                    Fishery closure update:
                    NOAA Fisheries Service revised the fishery closure effective 6:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 21. The closure now encompasses approximately 20 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. No change to closure on Monday, May 24.
                    Marine mammals and turtles (effective May 23):
                    Marine Mammals - To date, 19 dead dolphins have been verified since April 30 within the ?designated spill area? ‐none of which have had visible external or internal signs of oiling.
                    Sea Turtles - A total of 209 sea turtles have been verified since April 30 within the designated spill.
                    Of that, three entirely oiled turtles were captured alive during dedicated on-water surveys last week: two small Kemp's ridley and a larger subadult loggerhead turtle. All three were returned to shore and taken to the Audubon Aquarium where they are undergoing de-oiling and care. They are doing well in rehabilitation.
                    These were the only turtles with visable signs of oil on their bodies. In addition, 194 dead and 12 live sea turtles stranded (of those 12 live strandings, two have died in rehab). </AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA Facilities in the Gulf: </AGL:CONTAINER>


                    <AGL:CONTAINER>
                    • NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Fla.
                    • National Marine Sanctuaries: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, Texas; Florida Keys National Marine Sancturary, Key West, Fla.
                    • National Estuarine Research Reserves: Mission-Aransas Reserve, Texas; Grand Bay, Miss.; Weeks Bay, Ala.; Rookery Bay, Fla.
                    • Field offices of the Science Center in Galveston, Texas and Pascagoula, Miss.
                    • Seafood Laboratory in Pascagoula
                    </AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


                    <AGL:CONTAINER>
                    • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact nos.media@noaa.gov or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                    • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
                    • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                    • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                    • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                    • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                    • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                    • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                    </AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

                    </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                    • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
                    </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
                    • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                    </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                    • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                    </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                    • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                    </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                    <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
                    24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore surface oil forecasts are produced once daily.
                    </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
                    </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
                    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                    -Nelson Mandela

                    Comment

                    • #25
                      Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                      Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                      <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=396 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                      As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                      Situation: May 25, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                      <AGL:CONTAINER>Response

                      NOAA continues to provide regular trajectories, and modeling expertise.
                      Today?s forecast includes relatively light and variable winds over the next 72 hours, potentially extending through the week. The oil is not anticipated to move much further westward during the forecast period.
                      Satellite imagery continues to show a very small portion of the oil moving to the SE. The oil was being entrained into a counter-clockwise rotating eddy to the north of the Loop Current. Sheens were no longer visible within the eddy on recent overflight. Trajectories for remaining observed oil within this region suggest some of these scattered sheens will continue to be entrained in the counter-clockwise eddy, but it is possible that a small amount of may move in to the Loop Current and persist as very widely scattered tarballs not visible from imagery.
                      </AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=389 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA by the Numbers in the Gulf Region May 25, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>


                      <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA aircraft deployed:
                      • N46RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current station: Mobile, Ala., Began flying marine mammal surveys as of 28 Apr. Its mission changed on May 5 to multispectral scanning to study oil density and thickness.
                      • N56RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current Station: Mobile, Ala., Mission: Marine mammal surveys, First Flight: 5 May
                      • N68RF King Air (BE-350ER), Current Station: New Orleans, La., Mission: Coastal photography and mapping, First Flight: 5 May
                      • N42RF Orion (WP-3D), Current Station: Tampa, Fla., Mission: Loop Current study; First Flight: 8 May, flew May 21. During its May 21 mission 62 vertical oceanographic profiles (AXBT, AXCP, and AXCTD) and eight atmospheric profiles (GPS dropwindsondes) were collected. The next flight is planned for Friday, May 28.
                      NOAA and contract research vessels:
                      • NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter - Preparations for the acoustics cruise on the Gordon Gunter are ongoing with the AUV ("Gulper") being housed on the deck of the ship. Additional equipment continues to arrive daily.
                      • Thomas Jefferson - Arrived at first station last night and began deployment of the two SeaGliders, 5 profiling floats, and 7 Davis drifting buoys by the 2 NAVOCEANO technicians.
                      • F/V Simple Man - Under contract to SEFSC/Mississippi Laboratory, has completed two weeks of trawl sampling from pre-spill areas in Alabama. Samples will be processed in Pascagoula, MS.
                      • Other NOAA vessels in area include OREGON II and PISCES
                      • R/V Caretta, R/V Gandy and R/V HST are alongside
                      SCAT teams:
                      Two aerial reconnaissance teams and three SCAT teams were operational on May 24.
                      Fishery closure update:
                      NOAA Fisheries Service revised the fishery closure effective 6:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 25. The closure now encompasses slightly more than 22 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.
                      Marine mammals and turtles (effective May 24):
                      Sea Turtles
                      The total number of sea turtles verified from April 30 to May 24 within the designated spill area is 215. The 215 includes three entirely oiled sea turtles that were captured alive during dedicated on-water surveys last week: two small Kemp's ridley and a larger subadult loggerhead turtle. They were taken to the Audubon Aquarium where they are undergoing de-oiling and care and are doing well. In addition, 200 dead and 12 live stranded turtles (of which two died in rehab) have been verified. None of the dead or live stranded turtles have had visible evidence of external oil. Dolphins
                      From April 30 to May 24, there have been 20 dead dolphins verified within the designated spill area. The dolphin collected on May 24 will be evaluated externally today. The other 19 dolphins have had no visible evidence of external oil. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA Facilities in the Gulf: </AGL:CONTAINER>


                      <AGL:CONTAINER>
                      • NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in St. Petersburg, F.
                      • National Marine Sanctuaries: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX; Florida Keys National Marine Sancturary, Key West, FL
                      • National Estuarine Research Reserves: Mission-Aransas Reserve, TX; Grand Bay, MS.; Weeks Bay, AL.; Rookery Bay, FL
                      • Field offices of the Science Center in Galveston, Texas and Pascagoula, MS
                      • Seafood Laboratory in Pascagoula
                      • Science Center in Panama City, FL
                      • Texas - 13 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and the southern regional office in Fort Worth
                      • Louisiana - 4 WFOs
                      • Mississippi - 4 WFOs
                      • Alabama - 4 WFOs
                      • Florida (West Coast to Key West) - 4 WFOs (additional 3 WFOs in East coast FL and National Hurricane Center in Miami)
                      • National Coastal Data Development Center, National Data Buoy Center - Stennis, MS
                      </AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


                      <AGL:CONTAINER>
                      • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact John Ewald or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                      • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
                      • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                      • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                      • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                      • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                      • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                      • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                      </AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

                      </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                      • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
                      </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
                      • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                      </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                      • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                      </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                      • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                      </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                      <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
                      24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore surface oil forecasts are produced once daily.
                      </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
                      </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
                      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                      -Nelson Mandela

                      Comment

                      • #26
                        Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                        Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                        <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=387 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                        As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                        Situation: May 27, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                        <AGL:CONTAINER>Response:
                        NOAA continues to prepare daily trajectories of the floating oil. Winds are forecast to have a light northerly component through Saturday morning. These offshore winds may eventually lead to a reprieve in new shoreline impacts, but the Mississippi Delta west to Timbalier Bay, Breton Sound and the Chandeleur Islands continue to be threatened by shoreline contacts during this forecast period. NOAA continues to track the narrow band of oil to the SE of the main slick. These scattered sheens will continue to be entrained in the counter-clockwise eddy, but it is possible that smaller portion of oil may move into the Loop Current and persist as very widely scattered tarballs not visible from imagery. 

The flow rate technical team has completed its initial analysis and has estimated the leak rate at 12,000 barrels to 19,000 barrels per day. A Multi-agency and academic team reported out the results of two studies, one focusing on surface oiling and the other that analyzed the underwater plume. More information on the calculations can be found at http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Flow-Rate-Group-Provides-Preliminary-Best-Estimate-Of-Oil-Flowing-from-BP-Oil-Well.cfm. Assessment:
                        NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=386 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA by the Numbers in the Gulf Region May 27, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>


                        <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA aircraft deployed:
                        • N46RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current station: Mobile, Ala., Began flying marine mammal surveys as of 28 Apr. Its mission changed on May 5 to multispectral scanning to study oil density and thickness.
                        • N56RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current Station: Mobile, Ala., Mission: Marine mammal surveys, First Flight: 5 May
                        • N68RF King Air (BE-350ER), Current Station: New Orleans, La., Mission: Coastal photography and mapping, First Flight: 5 May.
                        • N42RF Orion (WP-3D), Current Station: Tampa, Fla., Mission: Loop Current study; First Flight: 8 May, flew May 21. During its May 21 mission 62 vertical oceanographic profiles (AXBT, AXCP, and AXCTD) and eight atmospheric profiles (GPS dropwindsondes) were collected. The next flight is planned for Friday, May 28.
                        NOAA and contract research vessels:
                        • Gordon Gunter
                          • A media briefing was held with the NOAA Ship GORDON GUNTER dockside at the Jackson County Port Authority facility in Pascagoula, Miss. CDR. Dave Score, CO of the GUNTER and Russell Brown, Northeast Fisheries Science Center and mission chief scientist provided an overview of the vessel and mission. Mississippi Press, WLOX (Biloxi, Miss. television affiliate) and Biloxi Sun-Herald attended.
                          • Estimated time of departure 1000 Today.
                          • Media availability is scheduled for Friday while the ship is underway.
                        • Thomas Jefferson
                          • Completed the deployment of 2 Seagliders, 5 profiling floats and 6 current drifters dispersed among 9 drop locations.
                          • Currently transiting to New Orleans avoiding areas of high surface oil concentrations.
                          • Testing and refining shipboard 4 different shipboard sonar systems (12, 38, 200, and 400 kHz) for the acoustic detection of submerged oil.
                          • Media availability is planned for Friday
                        • NOAA Ships Pisces and Oregon II are alongside in a repair status
                        • R/V Caretta, R/V Gandy and R/V HST are alongside
                        • F/V Beau Rivage
                          • Scheduled to depart Thursday, May 27th for a trawl cruise in western Louisiana waters to collect baseline samples.
                        SCAT teams:
                        Two aerial reconnaissance teams flew, all ground/boat teams had surveys canceled by severe weather on May 26.
                        Fishery closure update:
                        NOAA Fisheries Service revised the fishery closure effective 6:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 25. The closure now encompasses slightly more than 22 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone. No change was made on May 27.
                        Marine mammals and turtles (effective May 26):
                        Sea Turtles
                        The total number of sea turtles verified from April 30 to May 26 within the designated spill area is 228. The 228 includes three entirely oiled sea turtles that were captured alive during dedicated on-water surveys last week: two small Kemp's Ridley and a larger sub-adult Loggerhead turtle. They were taken to the Audubon Aquarium where they are undergoing de-oiling and care and are doing well. In addition, 212 dead and 13 live stranded turtles (of which three subsequently died in rehab) have been verified. One of the turtles, a Kemp's ridley turtle, that stranded dead has had visible evidence of external oil. All others that stranded dead and alive have not had visible external oil. Dolphins
                        From April 30 to May 26, there have been 24 dead dolphins verified within the designated spill area. So far, one of the 24 dolphins had evidence of external oil. It was found on an oiled beach. We are unable at this time to determine whether the animal was externally covered in oil after its death or prior to its death. The other 23 dolphins have had no visible evidence of external oil. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA Facilities in the Gulf: </AGL:CONTAINER>


                        <AGL:CONTAINER>
                        • NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in St. Petersburg, F.
                        • National Marine Sanctuaries: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX; Florida Keys National Marine Sancturary, Key West, FL
                        • National Estuarine Research Reserves: Mission-Aransas Reserve, TX; Grand Bay, MS.; Weeks Bay, AL.; Rookery Bay, FL
                        • Field offices of the Science Center in Galveston, Texas and Pascagoula, MS
                        • Seafood Laboratory in Pascagoula
                        • Science Center in Panama City, FL
                        • Texas - 13 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and the southern regional office in Fort Worth
                        • Louisiana - 4 WFOs
                        • Mississippi - 4 WFOs
                        • Alabama - 4 WFOs
                        • Florida (West Coast to Key West) - 4 WFOs (additional 3 WFOs in East coast FL and National Hurricane Center in Miami)
                        • National Coastal Data Development Center, National Data Buoy Center - Stennis, MS
                        Miscellaneous:
                        • Two NOAA communications personnel are detailed to the federal Joint Information Center in Robert, La., one communications staffer at the JIC in Mobile, Ala.
                        • NOAA and its interagency response partners are working with the Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC), a partnership between NOAA and the University of New Hampshire to bring leading scientists, practitioners, and representatives from federal and state governmental agencies, as well as NGOs, together to address key questions arising from the unprecedented use of chemical dispersants in response to the Deepwater Horizon spill. This interagency workshop will take place May 26-27 at Louisiana State University, and will be closed to the public.
                        </AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


                        <AGL:CONTAINER>
                        • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact John Ewald or 301.713.3066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301.713.3066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                        • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
                        • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 985.902.5240 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 985.902.5240 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                        • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                        • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.557.1401 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                        • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866.448.5816 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                        • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.440.0858 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                        • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 281.366.5511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
                        </AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

                        </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                        • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
                        </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
                        • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                        </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                        • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                        </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                        • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                        </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                        <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
                        24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore trajectory forecasts are produced once daily.
                        </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
                        </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
                        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                        -Nelson Mandela

                        Comment

                        • #27
                          Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                          Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                          <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=394 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                          As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                          Situation: May 28, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                          <AGL:CONTAINER>Response:
                          BP's efforts to kill the well continue. The initial efforts have been unsuccessful but BP restarted the "top kill" this afternoon and indicates that it may be another 24-48 hours before the operation can be evaluated. NOAA continues to prepare trajectories for the floating oil. A large amount of oil remains offshore of the Mississippi River Delta, but light and variable winds will reduce the potential for additional shoreline impacts over the weekend. The offshore trajectory for the tendril of sheen near the northern end of the loop current is also not expected to pose a threat for landfall through the forecast period. Assessment:
                          NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=392 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA by the Numbers in the Gulf Region May 28, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>



                          <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA aircraft deployed:
                          • N46RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current station: Mobile, Ala., Began flying marine mammal surveys as of 28 Apr. Its mission changed on May 5 to multispectral scanning to study oil density and thickness.
                          • N56RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), is out of routine maintenance today and departing for a new project on the west coast. This aircraft had been flying marine mammal and Fisheries enforcement missions.
                          • N68RF King Air (BE-350ER), Current Station: New Orleans, La., Mission: Coastal photography and mapping, First Flight: 5 May. is expected out of maintenance and conducting a bore site calibration.
                          • N42RF Orion (WP-3D), Current Station: Tampa, Fla., Mission: Loop Current study; First Flight: 8 May, flew May 21. The next flight is planned for today.
                          NOAA and contract research vessels:
                          • Gordon Gunter
                            • Departed Pascagoula at 1130 CDT.
                            • GU arrived at its first station last night.
                            • Conducting acoustic survey around the 20nm Security Zone that has been established around the well head.
                            • Media embark was scheduled for today.
                          • Thomas Jefferson
                            • Enroute to New Orleans ETA 0900
                            • Media briefing dockside in New Orleans scheduled for today
                          • NOAA Ships Pisces and Oregon II are alongside in a repair status
                          • R/V Caretta, R/V Gandy and R/V HST are alongside
                          • F/V Beau Rivage
                            • Underway on a SIP trawl cruise in western Louisiana waters to collect baseline samples.
                          Fishery closure update (effective May 28):
                          • NOAA Fisheries Service revised the fishery closure effective 6:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 28. The closure now encompasses approximately 25 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.
                          Marine mammals and turtles (effective May 27):
                          Sea Turtles
                          The total number of sea turtles verified from April 30 to May 27 within the designated spill area is 238. The 238 turtles verified include three entirely oiled sea turtles that were captured alive during dedicated on-water surveys last week: two small Kemp's Ridley and a larger sub-adult Loggerhead turtle. They were taken to the Audubon Aquarium where they are undergoing de-oiling and care and are doing well. In addition, 222 dead and 13 live stranded turtles (of which three subsequently died in rehab) have been verified. A total of 12 live turtles are now in rehabilitation. One of the live stranded turtles ?caught in marine debris -- was disentangled and released. One of the turtles that stranded dead ? a Kemp?s Ridley - had visible evidence of external oil. All others that stranded dead and alive have not had visible external oil. Turtle strandings during this time period have been higher in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama than in previous years for this same time period. This may be due in part to increased detection and reporting, but this does not fully account for the increase.
                          Dolphins
                          From April 30 to May 27, there have been 24 dead dolphins verified within the designated spill area. So far, one of the 24 dolphins had evidence of external oil. It was found on an oiled beach. We are unable at this time to determine whether the animal was externally covered in oil prior to its death or after its death. The other 23 dolphins have had no visible evidence of external oil. Since April 30, the stranding
                          rate for dolphins in Louisiana has been higher than the historic numbers for the same time period in previous years. This may be due to increased detection and reporting and the lingering effects of the earlier observed spike in strandings. *Strandings are defined as dead or debilitated animals that wash ashore </AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA Facilities in the Gulf: </AGL:CONTAINER>



                          <AGL:CONTAINER>
                          • NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in St. Petersburg, F.
                          • National Marine Sanctuaries: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX; Florida Keys National Marine Sancturary, Key West, FL
                          • National Estuarine Research Reserves: Mission-Aransas Reserve, TX; Grand Bay, MS.; Weeks Bay, AL.; Rookery Bay, FL
                          • Field offices of the Science Center in Galveston, Texas and Pascagoula, MS
                          • Seafood Laboratory in Pascagoula
                          • Science Center in Panama City, FL
                          • Texas - 13 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and the southern regional office in Fort Worth
                          • Louisiana - 4 WFOs
                          • Mississippi - 4 WFOs
                          • Alabama - 4 WFOs
                          • Florida (West Coast to Key West) - 4 WFOs (additional 3 WFOs in East coast FL and National Hurricane Center in Miami)
                          • National Coastal Data Development Center, National Data Buoy Center - Stennis, MS
                          Miscellaneous:
                          • Two NOAA communications personnel are detailed to the federal Joint Information Center in Robert, La., one communications staffer at the JIC in Mobile, Ala.
                          </AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>



                          <AGL:CONTAINER>
                          • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact Ben Sherman, John Ewald or Rachel Wilhelm or phone 301.713.3066
                          • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
                          • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231
                          • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816
                          • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401
                          • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816
                          • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858
                          • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511 </AGL:CONTAINER>
                            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top


                          </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                          • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
                          </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
                          • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                          </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                          • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                          </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                          • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                          </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                          <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
                          24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore trajectory forecasts are produced once daily.

                          </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1


                          </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
                          </AGL:CONTAINER>
                          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                          -Nelson Mandela

                          Comment

                          • #28
                            Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                            <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=8 summary="for page layout only" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><!-- this td tag contains the center panel of the page --><TD vAlign=top align=left>Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                            <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=397 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                            As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                            <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                            Situation: May 29, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                            <AGL:CONTAINER>Response:
                            After three days of trying to kill the well with drilling fluids and debris, BP has conceded that the effort has not been successful in stemming the flow of oil from the ruptured riser. In an early evening press conference, BP said it was unclear why the ?top kill? failed, but said it was time to move to other options.
                            The next approach for stopping the well leak is the lower marine riser package approach, or LMRP. The LMRP cap is a newly made version of a device formerly referred to as a "top hat." In this operation BP will cut the bent riser pipe from the blowout preventer and place an engineered cap over the opening. The cap would be connected to the drillship via a riser pipe. The material and equipment required to complete this operation are already in place, but the effort is still expected to take four to seven days. BP believes that the system could capture much of the leaking oiling, but acknowledges that the relief wells remain the primary solution.
                            OR&R scientists continue to produce daily trajectories of the surface oil. For the nearshore region, moderate southerly winds are forecast to resume and continue through Monday at 5-10 kts. These winds may begin moving oil that has been tending to the southwest from the source towards the Delta. In addition to continued threats to shorelines in Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, model results indicate that some oil may move north to threaten the barrier islands off Mississippi and Alabama later in the forecast period. OR&R continues to track the light tendril of oil near the northern end of the loop current. Overflights to this region have observed streamers of emulsified oil no further south than approximately 28 degrees N, with contiguous, colorless sheens continuing in a narrow band as seen in the satellite imagery. Trajectories for remaining observed oil within this region suggest some of these scattered sheens will continue to be entrained into a counter-clockwise eddy, while some may move into the Loop Current Eddy and persist as very widely scattered tarballs not visible from imagery. Assessment:
                            NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=394 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                            <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA by the Numbers in the Gulf Region May 29, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>


                            <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA aircraft deployed:
                            • N46RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), Current station: Mobile, Ala., Began flying marine mammal surveys as of 28 Apr. Its mission changed on May 5 to multispectral scanning to study oil density and thickness.
                            • N56RF Twin Otter (DHC-6), is out of routine maintenance today and departing for a new project on the west coast. This aircraft had been flying marine mammal and Fisheries enforcement missions.
                            • N68RF King Air (BE-350ER), Current Station: New Orleans, La., Mission: Coastal photography and mapping, First Flight: 5 May. Is expected out of maintenance and conducting a bore site calibration.
                            • N42RF Orion (WP-3D), Current Station: Tampa, Fla., Mission: Loop Current study; First Flight: 8 May, flew May 21. Aircraft flew mission on Friday, May 28 ? media onboard.
                            NOAA and contract research vessels:
                            • Gordon Gunter
                              • Reporters and photographers from New York Times, CNN, Associated Press, and the Times-Picayune visited the ship while underway yesterday.
                              • Preliminary data results from the acoustic survey are beginning to circulate
                            • Thomas Jefferson
                              • Alongside in New Orleans conducting repairs
                              • Media briefing conducted dockside on Friday
                              • Staging for upcoming acoustic and water sampling
                            • NOAA Ships Pisces and Oregon II are alongside in a repair status.
                            Glider operations:
                            • 2 NavO gliders deployed from the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson.
                            • Glider RU21 ? Rutgers/IOOS Glider Zone East
                            • Sam ? USF / IOOS Glider Zone East
                            • Waldo ? Mote Marine Lab / IOOS Glider Zone East
                            • Seaglider 515 ? USM/Irobot (Univ of Washington)
                            Fishery closure update (effective May 29):
                            • NOAA Fisheries Service revised the fishery closure effective 6:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 28. The closure now encompasses approximately 25 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.
                            Marine mammals and turtles (effective May 28):

                            Sea Turtles
                            • The total number of sea turtles verified from April 30 to May 28 within the designated spill area is 240. The 240 turtles verified include three entirely oiled sea turtles that were captured alive during dedicated on-water surveys: two small Kemp's Ridley and a larger sub-adult Loggerhead turtle. They were taken to the Audubon Aquarium where they are undergoing care and are doing well. In addition, 224 dead and 13 live stranded turtles (of which three subsequently died in rehab) have been verified. A total of 12 live turtles are now in rehabilitation. One of the live stranded turtles ?caught in marine debris -- was disentangled and released. One of the turtles that stranded dead ? a Kemp?s ridley - had visible evidence of external oil. All others that stranded dead and alive have not had visible external oil. Turtle strandings during this time period have been higher in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama than in previous years for this same time period. This may be due in part to increased detection and reporting, but this does not fully account for the increase.
                            Dolphins
                            • From April 30 to May 28, there have been 25 dead dolphins verified within the designated spill area. So far, one of the 25 dolphins had evidence of external oil. It was found on an oiled beach. We are unable at this time to determine whether the animal was externally covered in oil prior to its death or after its death. The other 24 dolphins have had no visible evidence of external oil. Since April 30, the stranding rate for dolphins in Louisiana has been higher than the historic numbers for the same time period in previous years. This may be due to increased detection and reporting and the lingering effects of the earlier observed spike in strandings.
                            *Strandings are defined as dead or debilitated animals that wash ashore

                            Coastal Contamination Assessment Activities
                            • Florida Keys Shallow Water Coral Field Team has deployed to the Fl Keys and is composed of 2 FTEs and 2 contract personnel.
                            • Chandeleur Dolphin Tissue Sampling Team composed of 3 contract personnel on team and is deployed to Chandeleur Sound
                            • Yesterday, a joint NCCOS and NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center team collected tissue samples from 3 dolphins in Chandeleur Sound, bringing the total samples up to 10 for the week. The team focused on northeast end of the Sound and no oil was observed. None of the dolphins encountered showed evidence of oiling. The team will continue sampling in Chandeleur Sound on Friday and then return home on Saturday.
                            Marine Contamination Assessment Activities
                            • Plume Mapping & Dispersant Efficacy 1 FTE on team, deployed to sea near the Deepwater Horizon site
                            • An NCCOS biologist is en route to the R/V Brooks McCall ? a vessel contracted by the responsible party (BP) ? to characterize the water column in the vicinity of the main release in order to inform responders and monitor dispersant effectiveness. The ship is scheduled to depart Port Fourchon on Saturday May 29.
                            </AGL:CONTAINER>
                            <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                            <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA Facilities in the Gulf: </AGL:CONTAINER>

                            <AGL:CONTAINER>
                            • NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in St. Petersburg, F.
                            • National Marine Sanctuaries: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX; Florida Keys National Marine Sancturary, Key West, FL
                            • National Estuarine Research Reserves: Mission-Aransas Reserve, TX; Grand Bay, MS.; Weeks Bay, AL.; Rookery Bay, FL
                            • Field offices of the Science Center in Galveston, Texas and Pascagoula, MS
                            • Seafood Laboratory in Pascagoula
                            • Science Center in Panama City, FL
                            • Texas - 13 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and the southern regional office in Fort Worth
                            • Louisiana - 4 WFOs
                            • Mississippi - 4 WFOs
                            • Alabama - 4 WFOs
                            • Florida (West Coast to Key West) - 4 WFOs (additional 3 WFOs in East coast FL and National Hurricane Center in Miami)
                            • NMFS & NOS offices in Layfette, La.
                            • NMFS regional office in Baton Rouge, La.
                            • National Coastal Data Development Center, National Data Buoy Center - Stennis, MS
                            Miscellaneous:
                            • Two NOAA communications personnel are detailed to the federal Joint Information Center in Robert, La., one communications staffer at the JIC in Mobile, Ala.
                            .../

                            Full text at:
                            response.restoration.noaa.gov
                            http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY%28entry_subtopic_topic%29=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=809&subtopic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=2&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1


                            </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                            -Nelson Mandela

                            Comment

                            • #29
                              Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                              Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                              <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=397 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                              As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                              <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                              Situation: May 30, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                              <AGL:CONTAINER>Response:
                              NOAA continues to do trajectories and survey shoreline oiling. Moderate southerly winds are forecast through Tuesday at 5-10 kts. These winds may begin moving oil that has been tending to the southwest from the source towards the Delta. In addition to continued threats to shorelines in Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, model results indicate that some oil may move north to threaten the barrier islands off Mississippi and Alabama later in the forecast period. Assessment:
                              NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=398 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                              <AGL:CONTAINER>Fishery closure update (effective May 30) </AGL:CONTAINER>


                              <AGL:CONTAINER>
                              • NOAA Fisheries Service revised the fishery closure effective 6:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 28. The closure now encompasses approximately 25 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.
                              Marine mammals and turtles (effective May 29):

                              Sea Turtles
                              • The total number of sea turtles verified from April 30 to May 29 within the designated spill area is 244. The 244 turtles verified include three entirely oiled sea turtles that were captured alive during dedicated on-water surveys last week: two small Kemp's Ridley and a larger sub-adult Loggerhead turtle. They were taken to the Audubon Aquarium where they are undergoing de-oiling and care and are doing well. In addition, 227 dead and 14 live stranded turtles (of which three subsequently died in rehab) have been verified. A total of 13 live turtles are now in rehabilitation. One of the live stranded turtles ?caught in marine debris -- was disentangled and released. One of the turtles that stranded dead ? a Kemp?s ridley - had visible evidence of 
external oil. All others that stranded dead and alive have not had visible external oil. Turtle strandings during this time period have been higher in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama than in previous years for this same time period. This may be due in part to increased detection and reporting, but this does not fully account for the increase.
                              Dolphins
                              • From April 30 to May 29, there have been 27 dead dolphins verified within the designated spill area. So far, one of the 27 dolphins had evidence of external oil. It was found on an oiled beach. We are unable at this time to determine whether the animal was externally covered in oil prior to its death or after its death. The other 26 dolphins have 
had no visible evidence of external oil. Since April 30, the stranding rate for dolphins in Louisiana has been higher than the historic numbers for the same time period in previous years. This may be due to increased detection and reporting and the lingering effects of the earlier observed spike in strandings.
                              *Strandings are defined as dead or debilitated animals that wash ashore </AGL:CONTAINER>
                              <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                              <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA Facilities in the Gulf: </AGL:CONTAINER>


                              <AGL:CONTAINER>
                              • NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in St. Petersburg, F.
                              • National Marine Sanctuaries: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX; Florida Keys National Marine Sancturary, Key West, FL
                              • National Estuarine Research Reserves: Mission-Aransas Reserve, TX; Grand Bay, MS.; Weeks Bay, AL.; Rookery Bay, FL
                              • Field offices of the Science Center in Galveston, Texas and Pascagoula, MS
                              • Seafood Laboratory in Pascagoula
                              • Science Center in Panama City, FL
                              • Texas - 13 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and the southern regional office in Fort Worth
                              • Louisiana - 4 WFOs
                              • Mississippi - 4 WFOs
                              • Alabama - 4 WFOs
                              • Florida (West Coast to Key West) - 4 WFOs (additional 3 WFOs in East coast FL and National Hurricane Center in Miami)
                              • NMFS & NOS offices in Layfette, La.
                              • NMFS regional office in Baton Rouge, La.
                              • National Coastal Data Development Center, National Data Buoy Center - Stennis, MS
                              Miscellaneous:
                              • Two NOAA communications personnel are detailed to the federal Joint Information Center in Robert, La., one communications staffer at the JIC in Mobile, Ala.
                              .../
                              Full text at:

                              response.restoration.noaa.gov
                              http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY%28entry_subtopic_topic%29=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=809&subtopic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=2&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1

                              </AGL:CONTAINER>
                              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                              -Nelson Mandela

                              Comment

                              • #30
                                Re: NOAA update on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

                                Deepwater Horizon Incident, Gulf of Mexico
                                <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AGL /><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 1 --><TABLE height=397 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>24 Hour Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>

                                As the nation?s leading scientific resource for oil spills, NOAA has been on the scene of the BP oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. More
                                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER>Updated daily
                                Situation: May 31, 2010 </AGL:CONTAINER>

                                <AGL:CONTAINER>Response:
                                With the failure of the ?Top Kill?, BP is now focused on the temporary cap for the riser pipe. This effort will take several days, and is expected to temporarily increase the flow. If successful, BP hopes it will capture the majority of the oil. A riser pipe would carry the oil to a tanker on the surface.
                                NOAA continues to prepare daily trajectories for the nearshore and offshore oil. In the nearshore zone, moderate south to southwest winds are forecast for the upcoming week at 5-10 kts. These winds may begin moving oil that has been tending to the southwest from the source towards the Delta. The threat to shorelines in Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, will be reduced. But, model results indicate that oil may move north to threaten the barrier islands off Mississippi and Alabama later in the forecast period. In the offshore zone, satellite imagery analysis continues to show a narrow band of oil to the SE of the main slick extending to approximately 27.3 degrees north. Recent overflights to this region, and ship observations reported only non contiguous, colorless sheens. Trajectories for observed oil within this region suggest some of these scattered sheens will continue to be entrained into the clockwise eddy that has detached from the Loop Current. Assessment:
                                NOAA?s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program is conducting a Natural Resource Damage Assessment. The focus currently is to assemble existing data on resources and their habitats and collect baseline (pre-spill impact) data. Data on oiled resources and habitats are also being collected. </AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 3 --><TABLE height=396 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=304 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle><AGL:CONTAINER>Offshore Surface Oil Trajectory Map: Jump down to Current Trajectory Maps on this page for full-sized versions. </AGL:CONTAINER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER>Fishery closure update (effective May 31) </AGL:CONTAINER>


                                <AGL:CONTAINER>
                                • NOAA Fisheries Service has updated its Fishery closure area in the Gulf of Mexico, effective 6 p.m. Eastern Time, May 31, 2010. Approximately 74 percent of the Gulf remains open for fishing.
                                Marine mammals and turtles (effective May 30):

                                Sea Turtles
                                • The total number of sea turtles verified from April 30 to May 30 within the designated spill area is 244. The 244 turtles verified include four turtles collected alive with visible external evidence of oil and one dead stranded turtle with visible external evidence of oil. All others have not had visible evidence of external oil. 

Three of the live collected turtles with visible evidence of oil were captured during dedicated on-water surveys: two small Kemp's Ridley and a larger sub-adult Loggerhead turtle. The fourth oiled turtle was collected alive by the US Coast Guard. One of the turtles that stranded dead ? a Kemp?s ridley - had visible evidence of external oil. A total of 227 turtles stranded dead. A total of 14 stranded alive. Three of those subsequently died and one of the live stranded turtles ?caught in marine debris -- was disentangled and released. There are 13 turtles in rehabilitation (includes three captured during dedicated on-water surveys). Turtle strandings during this time period have been higher in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama than in previous years for this same time period. This may be due in part to increased detection and reporting, but this does not fully account for the increase.
                                Dolphins
                                • From April 30 to May 30, there have been 29 dead dolphins verified within the designated spill area. So far, one of the 29 dolphins had evidence of external oil. Because it was found on an oiled beach, we are unable at this time to determine whether the animal was covered in oil prior to its death or after its death. The other 28 dolphins have had no visible evidence of external oil. Since April 30, the stranding rate for dolphins in Louisiana has been higher than the historic numbers for the same time period in previous years. This may be due to increased detection and reporting and the lingering effects of the earlier observed spike in strandings.
                                *Strandings are defined as dead or debilitated animals that wash ashore </AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER>NOAA Facilities in the Gulf: </AGL:CONTAINER>


                                <AGL:CONTAINER>
                                • NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in St. Petersburg, F.
                                • National Marine Sanctuaries: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX; Florida Keys National Marine Sancturary, Key West, FL
                                • National Estuarine Research Reserves: Mission-Aransas Reserve, TX; Grand Bay, MS.; Weeks Bay, AL.; Rookery Bay, FL
                                • Field offices of the Science Center in Galveston, Texas and Pascagoula, MS
                                • Seafood Laboratory in Pascagoula
                                • Science Center in Panama City, FL
                                • Texas - 13 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and the southern regional office in Fort Worth
                                • Louisiana - 4 WFOs
                                • Mississippi - 4 WFOs
                                • Alabama - 4 WFOs
                                • Florida (West Coast to Key West) - 4 WFOs (additional 3 WFOs in East coast FL and National Hurricane Center in Miami)
                                • NMFS & NOS offices in Layfette, La.
                                • NMFS regional office in Baton Rouge, La.
                                • National Coastal Data Development Center, National Data Buoy Center - Stennis, MS
                                Miscellaneous:
                                • Two NOAA communications personnel are detailed to the federal Joint Information Center in Robert, La., one communications staffer at the JIC in Mobile, Ala.
                                </AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- title / graphic / text block 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER>Important Contacts </AGL:CONTAINER>


                                <AGL:CONTAINER>
                                • For NOAA media inquiries, please contact Ben Sherman, John Ewald or Rachel Wilhelm or phone 301.713.3066
                                • To offer suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil visit Deepwater Horizon Response Suggestions. This website also provides procedures and forms for Alternative Response Tool Evaluation System (ARTES) proposals.
                                • For response-related inquiries, please phone the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985.902.5231
                                • To report oil on land, or for general community information, please phone 866.448.5816
                                • To report oiled or injured wildlife, please phone 866.557.1401
                                • To learn about volunteer opportunities in all areas and what training is required, please phone 866.448.5816
                                • To discuss spill related damage claims, please phone 800.440.0858
                                • BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill. BP is calling this the Vessel of Opportunities Program and through it, BP is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about the Vessel of Opportunity Program, fishermen should phone 281.366.5511
                                </AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline photo gallery box --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>More Information about this Incident ? top

                                </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                                • IncidentNews View the most up-to-date information on OR&R's IncidentNews site. [leaves OR&R site]
                                </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>
                                • Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deep Water Horizon. The Horizon was engaged in drilling activity on behalf of BP at Mississippi Canyon Block 252, about 52 miles southeast of Venice, La. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                                </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                                • Deepwater Horizon Response on Facebook This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                                </TD></TR><TR><TD>
                                • Deepwater Horizon Response on Twitter This site is providing information regarding the April 20 incident in the US Gulf of Mexico involving a Transocean drilling Rig Deepwater Horizon. Leaves NOAA for a non-government site [leaves OR&R site]
                                </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 2 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 3 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 4 --></AGL:CONTAINER><AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline linkbox 5 --></AGL:CONTAINER>
                                <AGL:CONTAINER><!-- inline resource box 1 --><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Current Trajectory Maps ? top
                                24, 48 and 72 hour trajectory forecast maps and offshore trajectory forecasts are produced once daily.
                                </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
                                </AGL:CONTAINER>http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...topic_topic)=1
                                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                                -Nelson Mandela

                                Comment

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