I think that it's interesting that the Gulf of Mexico oil "spill" (it's not really a spill.... but I don't think there's a name for it) involves BP. When the Exxon Valdez had the world record oil spill in 1989 there should have been containment equipment on hand at Alyeska (the outfit that runs the pipeline and terminal in Valdez). In fact, such equipment had been promised. A containment barge with booms and boats and personnel to respond immediately to any problem. But after 20 years there were no problems and keeping all that equipment and all those people around cost money so everything just went away. The barge was somewhere in the south 48. The people had been reassigned. Then, when the Exxon Valdez was ripped open by Bligh Reef there was no one and nothing to contain the spill. Would it have made a difference? Hard to tell. But it was supposed to be there and it wasn't. Now, in 2010 a semi-submersible leased by British Petroleum has sunk and the wells (there were apparently more than one well being developed by the rig) are leaking crude oil and there are questions about the equipment. Why do I find this ironic? British Petroleum (BP) has the controlling interest (49%) and management authority over Alyeska. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Apr 30 2010 - 10:13:24 PDT
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