Unified Command continues with a comprehensive oil well intervention and spill response plan following the April 22 sinking of the Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling rig 130 miles southeast of New Orleans. More than 1,000 personnel are involved in the response effort both on and offshore with additional resources being mobilized as needed.
Incident Facts:
An overflight on Monday, April 26 at 1:30 PM CST determined there was a 600-mile circumference rainbow sheen with areas of emulsified crude approximately 36 miles offshore the coast of Louisiana.
More than 29,280 feet of boom (barrier) has been assigned to contain the spill.
An additional 80,900 feet is available and 36,100 feet has been ordered.
To date, the oil spill response team has recovered 1,152 barrels (43,384 gallons) of an oil-water mix. Vessels are in place and continuing recovery operations.
49 response vessels are being used including skimmers, tugs, barges, and recovery vessels.
29,140 gallons of dispersant have been deployed and an additional 119,734 gallons are available.
Five staging areas are in place and ready to protect sensitive shorelines.
These areas include: Biloxi, Miss., Pensacola, Fla. Venice, La., Pascagoula, Miss. and Theodore, Ala.
Weather conditions on April 27 – Winds from the Northwest, seas choppy with 3 to 4 foot waves.
126 people were on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig when the incident occurred. 11 remain unaccounted for; 17 were injured, 3 of them critically. 1 injured person remains in the hospital.
To report oiled or injured wildlife, please call 1-800-557-1401.
For the latest information please visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
Press Release: NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), 27 April 2010, www.incidentnews.gov
