US oil disaster 'potentially unprecedented'

[Mike Stenson (RIP)]

US oil disaster 'potentially unprecedented'

President Barack Obama on Sunday called a widening oil slick "potentially unprecedented" for the environmental and economic damage it may inflict on the US Gulf's vulnerable shores.

"Now, I think the American people are now aware, certainly the folks down in the Gulf are aware, that we're dealing with a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster," Obama said.

"The oil that is still leaking from the well could seriously damage the economy and the environment of our Gulf states," he told journalists during a visit to the stricken Louisiana coast on the Gulf of Mexico.

"And it could extend for a long time. It could jeopardise the livelihoods of thousands of Americans who call this place home.

[Michael Alexander]

I think that the Yanks are overreacting (again) Sure, an oil spill..... but how big?

[Bertie Horak]

Has nobody figured out a way to prevent the oil from spreading yet?  Now there's a nice science project...

[Michael Alexander]

Do you think the oild will be usable if you scoop it off the ocean in a bucket? Freebie.... 

[Bob Molloy]

It must be quite a spill. Iran,with years of oil spill cleanup experience behind it, has just offered to help the US out. I wonder how the neocons will react that that? See below:


Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=125303&sectionid=3510203 (via shareaholic.com)

[toonfandangl]

Bob the oil spill there is quite significant have been following the events in the media.

Here in Australia we have a potently environmental disaster sitting on our doorstep, a few weeks ago this ship Shen Neng 1 sailed out of the port of Gladstone carrying coal bound for China and tried a short cut through the Great Barrier Reef,........ running at speed it slammed into the reef (they are still assessing the amount of damage done to the reef) now they are going to try and unload most of its cargo so it can be towed for repairers
These politicians mentioned in the later part are about as use full as an ash tray on a moter bike. 'We did not know' seems to be their common catch phrase.




Shen Neng 1 heads to Hervey Bay

1st May 2010

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THE Shen Neng 1 is about to be towed to Hervey Bay and could become a potential danger to the pristine waters off World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.

The Chinese coal carrier  will not be coming to Gladstone next week.

Related Articles

    * Shen Neng 1's salvage operation
    * Oil transfer is critical stage
    * Oil spill clean-up delayed
    * Race to stabilise ship stuck on reef
    * Council activates oil disaster group
    * PM labels actions as 'outrageous'
    * Throw the book at ship's owner: Bligh
    * Big chopper brought in for salvage
    * Plea for compulsory pilots
    * Keppel locals fear oil impact
    * PM labels actions as 'outrageous'
    * Oil may reach Yeppoon tomorrow

Route of the Shen Neng 1


THE CHINESE coal ship, the Shen Neng 1, that almost created an environmental disaster in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef, is about to become a potential danger to the pristine waters off World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.

Marine authorities say adverse weather conditions have forced them to ditch plans to tow the Shen Neng 1 into the Port of Gladstone and instead they are coming to Hervey Bay.

The ship hit the Douglas Shoal on Easter Saturday, spilling four tonnes of heavy fuel oil from its ruptured fuel tank and causing extensive damage to the reef.

Following a request and advice from salvors, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on Thursday ordered the vessel be taken to a more protected position.

The ship will move to a safe anchorage between the mainland and Fraser Island in the northern reaches of Hervey Bay.

While there it will have coal unloaded on to smaller vessels before being towed overseas. It is expected that relocating the Shen Neng 1 to Hervey Bay will start mid next week.

AMSA deputy CEO Mick Kinley said the decision to move the ship was made following a request from the salvors.

"The ship will only remain in the Hervey Bay area for the minimum time necessary to lighten it," he said.

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Patrick Quirk said the ship remained structurally sound despite damage it sustained when it grounded on Douglas Shoal.

"During last week's attempt to bring the ship into port five tow lines snapped on the attending tugs due to movement of the vessels from wind and swell," Mr Quirk said.

"These tow lines are as thick as a down-pipe and every time one snaps it's a risk to life and limb."

Mr Quirk said the inspection by divers had confirmed the vessel was safe to tow to Hervey Bay.

Once safely situated off Hervey Bay, Mr Quirk said, a second transfer vessel would pull alongside and remove around half of the coal on board.

"Once about half the coal is removed the ship should be ready to take into international waters and be towed overseas," he said.

Maritime experts completed a 33-hour operation on Thursday night to remove 1500 tonnes of oil and oily water from the Shen Neng 1 on to a 50m bunker barge.

"A small quantity of oil remains on the ship in safe storage to fuel generators providing power to the ship's living quarters and essential equipment,said Mr Quirk.

Federal member for Hinkler Paul Neville said he was not given a chance to debate "serious concerns about the potential impact on the Fraser marine parks".

"I'm the federal member for this area and the only way I found out about this was through the media; it's just not right," he said.

"This has the potential to be an environmental disaster and I am most concerned."

Hervey Bay MP Ted Sorensen was critical of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for not announcing the decision to "dump" the carrier in Wide Bay waters during his visit to the region.

"I was advised by the Transport Minister that the decision had been made to move the ship to Hervey Bay, to unload its cargo before it is towed back to Asia.

"This decision was made by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Federal Government today, so why was Mr Rudd so tight-lipped about the move?"

Mr Sorensen said he had sought assurances that all necessary precautions would be taken to ensure that Fraser Island and Hervey Bay's whale watching season was not hurt by the ship's presence.     

[Michael Alexander]

The effort to place a massive containment dome over a gushing underwater wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico was dealt a setback when a large volume of hydrates -- icelike crystals that form when gas combines with water -- accumulated inside the vessel, a BP official said Saturday.

The dome was moved off to the side of the wellhead and is resting on the seabed while crews work to overcome the challenge, a process expected to take at least two days, BP's chief operations officer Doug Suttles said.

Suttles declined to call it a failed operation but said "What we attempted to do last night didn't work."

Suttles said the gas hydrates are lighter than water and, as a result, made the dome buoyant. The crystals also blocked the top of the dome, which would prevent oil from being funneled up to a drill ship.

"We did anticipate hydrates being a problem, but not this significant [of one]," he said.

My solution would be to make a hug round solid cement disc weighing an enormous amouts of tons..... then just drop the disc on the well ......

Just my oily 2 cents!