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Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question
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Author:  derek [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:51 am ]
Post subject:  Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

So i live in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and this recent oil rig that blew up that is releasing 40,000gallons of oil a day is probably going cause alot of problems in the next couple of weeks and or months :x to our beaches, fishing and animal wildlife we have around our beautiful Gulf Coast.

This is very depressing knowing its going to hurt and ruin our area for probably years to come.

But my question is has anyone ever had to deal with sailing around or near such of a tragic event?

Even after most of this heavy pockets of oil is going im sure it will still be close on our coastlines and in the water in some areas.

Will this oil stick or ruin my boat?
What would be the best thing to clean this stuff off my boat if i get it on it?

Im pretty nervous about taking my boat out there now and getting it sludged :evil:

Author:  sammy925 [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

This web site link may be of use to you. I'm watching daily. I think western LA and Texas have more of concern than to the east. http://www.oceanweather.com/data/Gulf-o ... index.html

also visible from space in this sat photo

http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsoci ... space.html

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

The type of oil (light, sweet crude) evaporates and leaves "tar balls" that either sink or wash up.

To put it into perspective, this is the amount that normally leaks naturally into the Gulf environment on a regular basis - it's just spread over a much wider area so it's not as noticeable.

The leak would have to continue for over a year to equal the amount the Exxon Valdez leaked in three days.

I wouldn't take your boat out in obviously contaminated water. If you do get oil stains, they are removed with oil-dispersing detergent (Dawn) and solvents (acetone).

I'm more worried about the effect on the Mississippi Mini Mega coming up in two months - in Ocean Springs, MS.

Author:  Nevek [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

And people thinking drilling off the coast of Florida is a great idea.....

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

This type of failure is very rare - because it's hugely expensive, and that cuts into profits. Between the cost of the rig, which was no ordinary rig:
Before:
Image

During:
Image

the cleanup, the inevitable lawsuits over the dead workers, etc., etc. No company wants to have to deal with that, so the odds of something like this happening again soon are fairly small.

It's like a the airline industry - it is by far the safest way to travel, but every time there's a major airplane crash - more people become afraid of flying.

Author:  hobie18rich [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

Looks like the front fell off. ( Sorry I couldn't resist)

Author:  Karl Brogger [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

Keven wrote:
And people thinking drilling off the coast of Florida is a great idea.....



I know, its just stupid. Keep drilling in North Dakota so I don't have to work anymore. :lol:

Author:  IndyWave [ Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

Those photos look like something from a James Bond movie... Octopussy, maybe others. Since the cause is "unknown", could it be?

Author:  msp1957 [ Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

MBounds,

Is that really true that @1000 gallons a day "naturally" leak into the gulf? Seems like ther would be more enviromental impact from that.

MP

Author:  Karl Brogger [ Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

msp1957 wrote:
MBounds,

Is that really true that @1000 gallons a day "naturally" leak into the gulf? Seems like ther would be more enviromental impact from that.

MP



Sure does, it bubbles up from the bottom. The weight/pressure of the water basically pushes out.

Author:  Skipshot [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

derek, you're better off asking the locals this question. However, it is not at all recommended to sail in the stuff if you don't have to.

Author:  MBounds [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

Skipshot wrote:
derek, you're better off asking the locals this question. However, it is not at all recommended to sail in the stuff if you don't have to.


Absolutely. Especially since the problem is way worse than earlier reported.

Author:  ncmbm [ Sat May 08, 2010 8:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

The final decision is a methane bubble rose from the ocean floor and exploded at the surface when contacting the rig. It is rare and I would assume undetectable. Must have been one hell of an explosion!

Author:  Roy [ Sun May 09, 2010 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

Our heavy addiction to oil will continue to cloud our perceptions, we need to keep working towards a different form of power for automobiles other than internal combustion engines. I don't see electric cars as a viable alternative, at least not yet. The technology might get there in several years. As I understand it, the long term problem is going to clean water. We can live without oil but not without water.

Author:  Karl Brogger [ Tue May 11, 2010 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oil Sludge - Gulf Shores, Alabama question

Roy wrote:
Our heavy addiction to oil will continue to cloud our perceptions, we need to keep working towards a different form of power for automobiles other than internal combustion engines. I don't see electric cars as a viable alternative, at least not yet. The technology might get there in several years. As I understand it, the long term problem is going to clean water. We can live without oil but not without water.


:lol:

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