Oily ship enters Mobile Bay, sparks anger

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/27/1651113/oily-ship-enters-mobile-bay-sparking.html

Posted on Thursday, 05.27.10

The Associated Press

MOBILE, Ala. -- A 454-foot ship that worked far offshore trying to stop the Gulf oil spill entered Mobile Bay with dark gunk still coated on its hull, angering residents and environmentalists who believed any vessels would be cleaned before steaming inland.

The Alabama State Port Authority said the ship, which was in the final stages of cleansing Thursday, had an initial scrubbing at sea before entering the bay, which is ringed by grasses and marshes that provide cover for young shrimp, fish and birds. The cleanup work in the bay always was part of the plan for coping with the spill, a port spokeswoman said.

But Mobile Baykeeper, a nonprofit group that supports protection of Mobile Bay, was inundated with calls after residents and shrimpers saw the pipe-laying ship, the Boa Sub C Valletta, inside the bay with what appeared to be oil on its hull more than 10 miles from Gulf waters.

[gratuitous]

1. In three weeks or less

I predict the legitimate concern over the Boa Sub C Valletta will look almost quaint.

[Lerkfish]

3. yup, unfortunately that will be like a drop in the ocean

[mikelgb]

2. I wondered about this

figured as much