Oil Spill Blog

Artist, Michael Israel, visited Grand Isle on Monday June 28th. He painted three works of art, including the one pictured to the right. In his remarks he reminded the crowd at Bridge Side Marina that we do not inherit the world from our ancestors, we borrow it from our grandchildren.

Oil Sheen in the marsh on the bayside of Grand Isle, May 2010

HEAVY OIL UNDER THE GRAND ISLE FISHING BRIDGE.

Sampling for oil in the Marsh

MY VIEW ON THE BP SPILL

THE OIL SPILL WAS TRAGIC AND LEFT EVERYONE WHO MAKES A LIVING WORRIED. THE LEAK SEEMED UN PLUGGABLE AND SHORELINE CONTACT WAS INEVITABLE. GRAND ISLE AND THE OTHER BARRIER ISLANDS GOT HIT, BUT THE OIL REALLY NEVER GOT INTO THE MARSHES. HEAVY FLOWS CAME ASHORE FOR A FEW WEEKS AND HAD THIS ASSAULT LASTED THE EFFECTS WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN WORSE. I WAS FORCED TO CANCLE ALL MY TRIPS AND MAIL BACK ALL DEPOSITS. BP'S VESSELS OF OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM SEEMED LIKE THE ONLY OPTION. I WORKED FROM MAY 25TH TO NOVEMBER 25TH RUNNING SCIENTISTS OUT FOR SOIL AND WATER SAMPLES. IT GAVE ME A FIRST HAND VIEW OF AMOST EVERY SHORELINE CONTACT FROM THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI TO OYSTER BAYOU TWENTY MILES WEST OF LAST ISLAND. OIL RODE THE TIDE UP ON TO THE BEACHES AND HIT THE SIDES OF THE FIRST LINE OF INTERIOR ISLANDS. WHEN IT HIT, IT STUCK. SUBSEQUENT TIDES DID NOT MOVE IT, SO DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE OILS FIRST CONTACT. OVER THE 180 DAYS I FOLLOWED THE SPILL I WATCHED THE OIL "AGE". SUN, WIND AND HEAT TRANSFORMED THE OIL INTO A TAR AND AS TIME PASSED INTO A HARDENED RESIDUE. THE WATER FROM SEVERAL TROPICAL SYSTEMS OVER TOPPED IT AND MOTHER NATURE CERTAINLY HELPED HEAL THE DAMAGE. FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I'M COMFORTABLE THAT THE DAMAGE WILL HEAL AND THE ESTUARY WILL CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST VIABLE FISHERIES IN NORTH AMERICA. - Capt. Danny Wray

Monday, July 12, 2010

Phillipe Cousteau visits Grand Isle

Phillipe Cousteau, Jacque Cousteau's Grandson, visited Grand Isle this weekend to film segments for a show he is hosting the the Animal Planet Network. He hopes to bring attention to the fish and wildlife that have been affected by the oilspill.

3:15 pm edt

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Hope everyone had a great july 4th holiday

July 4th was pretty uneventful on Grand Isle this year. A low pressure still sits on top of us bringing high water and surf. This is a picture at sunset. They have now set boom all the way around the back of the island. The Coast Gaurd has a new rule that you cant come within 65 feet of the boom... wonder if that applies to those of us that live within 65 feet of boom that they set?

11:11 am edt

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Hurricane Alex

The high water and waves have us in port today on stand by. When the waves subside we will get back to work.

2:47 pm edt

2010.07.01

Danny & Phillipe Cousteau

July 4th sunset off the point surrounded by boom

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Calmwater Charters
P.O. Box 657 / 337 Anchor Drive

Grand Isle, LA 70358
Capt Danny: 225 721-8182
Kristen: 225 921-8459

calmwater@ymail.com