KEYS TOURISM ADVISORY 1B April 28, 2010 • 11:15 PM EDT
News and Information From the Monroe County Tourist Development Council
Media coverage of last week’s BP/Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform explosion and subsequent oil leaks in the Gulf of Mexico continues to focus on efforts to stop the leaks, but now has turned to potential impacts on Florida’s coastal areas and the Florida Keys.
Quoting oceanographers, several news organizations have included in their coverage the potential for oil to move with currents and – depending on the news source – either “possibly” or “likely” affecting the Keys.
However, officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday the Keys are not within the projected impact area in their near-term forecast models. And NOAA forecast models, prepared through Friday, (http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/533387/) show the oil slick moving to the north. Officials said some of the oil may reach portions of the Louisiana coast Friday evening. NOAA is the official agency providing scientific forecasting and data for the mitigation effort.
Officials at NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary are closely monitoring the situation and assessing resources if a response to an oil threat is required for the Keys.
A controlled burn of a portion of the slick was conducted Wednesday afternoon in an effort to remove a portion of the oil from open waters. Other tactics being employed to remove oil include skimming and the application of chemical dispersants.
Plans are being made to deploy resources to assist in cleanup of Gulf coastal areas likely to be affected.
At a news conference late Wednesday night, officials said a third leak was detected and that BP is employing all resources to plug the leaks. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry said that 5,000 barrels a day is now what is estimated to be leaking and said the Department of Defense is poised to become involved in mitigation efforts.
Other planned tactics for leak control include a drilling ship slated to arrive on site Friday that is to begin boring a relief well. Another is the development of a subsea containment chamber to be placed over the leak to collect oil before it floats to the surface. However, it will require two to four weeks for that containment chamber to be fabricated and installed.
Official updated information, assembled by the joint response effort, is available at:
http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
http://www.noaa.gov
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