Overview of oil spill due to offshore oil rig Deepwater Horizon explosion : commercial navigation aspects

This post addresses the spread of the oil spill due to explosion of the offshore drill rig Deepwater Horizon and commercial navigation aspects. The incident occured on the 20th of April in the area of Missisipi Canyon Block 252 which is approx. 52 miles southeast of Venice, Lousiana. As of 6th of April, various sources report that approx. 5-10,000 or even more barrels of crude oil per day continue to be released in the sea water.

Both Oil Spill Removal Oprganizations (NaRCO and MSRC) continue to be heavily engaged in the response. Despite the large involvement, NaRCO stays alerted to meet a separate, unrelated response, and is ready to relocated resources from the gulf region if necessary. As for MSRC, they are also reported to maintain their classification in the gulf. Therefore, commercial navigation is not effected as a result of repositioning of the resources.

As of 3rd May, heavy oil concetration is reported to be migrating in the area: (28.30N 89.30W) to (20.30N 89.00W) to (30.00N 89.30W) to (29.15N 87.15W). Please see the published cumulative trajectory.

Therefore, although not necessarily, Masters are requested to report any oil impact on their vessel's hulls in e-notices of Arrivals in the "comments" section.

Refering to COPT of New Orleans, two vessel decontamination stations have been established on the Lower Missisipi River. If any sheening or presence of oil on a vessel's hull noticed, the arriving vessel shall proceed to one of the cleaning stations. Vessel's cleaning is coordinated with the New Orleans Decon Group via VHF Channel 16, throught the pilot directing the vessel's movement.