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Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response

Translations
Please visit our new website, RestoreTheGulf.gov. During the transition information will be updated here and on the new site.

GULF OF MEXICO - The Coast Guard Cutter Decisive passes in front of the Q4000 while patrolling the area near the BP wellhead, August 3, 2010. The rig continues preparations to begin the "static kill", an operation in which heavy drilling mud and cement are slowly pumped into the wellhead to begin the process of killing it permanently. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers.

GULF OF MEXICO - The Coast Guard Cutter Decisive passes in front of the Q4000 while patrolling the area near the BP wellhead, August 3, 2010. The rig continues preparations to begin the "static kill", an operation in which heavy drilling mud and cement are slowly pumped into the wellhead to begin the process of killing it permanently. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers.

Photo credit: Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers. > View More Photos | Flickr | CG Visual Imagery

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Hurricanes and the Oil Spill

What will the hurricane do to the oil slick in the Gulf?
• The high winds and seas will mix and “weather” the oil which can help accelerate the biodegradation process.
• Movement of oil would depend greatly on the track of the hurricane.]]>
top: 360px; width: 1px; height: 1px;">• Storms’ surges may carry oil into the coastline and inland as far as the surge reaches. Debris resulting from the hurricane may be contaminated by oil from the Deepwater Horizon incident, but also from other oil releases that may occur during the storm.

What will the hurricane do to the oil slick in the Gulf?

• The high winds and seas will mix and “weather” the oil which can help accelerate the biodegradation process.
• The high winds may distribute oil over a wider area, but it is difficult to model exactly where the oil may be transported.
• Movement of oil would depend greatly on the track of the hurricane.
• Storms’ surges may carry oil into the coastline and inland as far as the surge reaches. Debris resulting from the hurricane may be contaminated by oil from the Deepwater Horizon incident, but also from other oil releases that may occur during the storm.

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GULF OF MEXICO - The coxswain of the Coast Guard Cutter Decisive's small boat prepares to return to the 210 -foot cutter after making an observation run a mile off of the Deepwater Horizon relief well drilling site in the Gulf of Mexico July 31, 2010. The cutter crew maintains a safety presence 24 hours a day seven days a week for the crews working on the well site. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis. GULF OF MEXICO - The landing signal officer directs passengers offloading an Air Station New Orleans-based HH-65 helicopter on the deck of the 210-foot Coast Guard Cutter Decisive July 31, 2010. Both assets are working in support of the Deepwater Horizon Response. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis. GULF OF MEXICO - The Coast Guard Cutter Decisive's small boat crew patrols the area near the BP wellhead, Aug. 3, 2010. The drilling rig continues preparations to begin the "static kill", an operation in which heavy drilling mud and cement are slowly pumped into the wellhead to begin the process of killing it permanently. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers.

> View More Photos | Flickr | CG Visual Imagery

Horizon Hotline:

  • Environmental Hotline/Community Information - 866-448-5816
  • Assistance Hotline/Boom Reports - 281-366-5511
  • Vessels of Opportunity (boats) - (866) 279-7983 or (877) 847-7470
  • Wildlife Distress Hotline - 866-557-1401
  • PEC Hotline (Specialty Volunteer Training) - 866-647-2338
  • Claims Hotline - 800-440-0858
  • Medical Support - Poison Control Center - 800-222-1222
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COCODRIE, La., - Jami Markle, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife contingent of personnel currently in the Gulf region, discusses his role in the Department of Interior's oil spill response. Markle is based in Cocodrie, Louisiana, serving with the rescue and recovery operations helping survey shorelines looking for oiled wildlife and misplaced boom.

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