BP crews will be stationed along Bay County beaches this holiday weekend and will be ready to respond should anything wash ashore. 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Commander Mike Frender told reporters that reconnaissance work and BP cleanup efforts continue on the beach, though recent rains have hindered efforts somewhat.

 

"People may see a suspension of activity; however, we have been to conduct our recon efforts at night," Frender said, adding that both the Coast Guard and BP are adding personnel in an effort to further improve the response.

 

He said the Coast Guard is closely monitoring the construction project in the St. Andrew Pass and will determine when and if its closure is necessary.   

 

In other news: 

 

-- BP contracted with Tri-State Bird Rescue for the rescue and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife. People who see oiled wildlife on Bay County shores should call authorities, rather than try to rescue the animal themselves. They may call the oiled wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401. People may also call the Bay County hotline at 248-6030.

 

-- Two decontamination stations inside the bay for recreational vessels are being identified, though they are not built out, according to U.S. Coast Guard Commander Mike Frender. Two decontamination stations are also staged in the gulf, with one located three miles south of the St. Andrews Pass and another seven miles south of the pass. Those stations are for commercial, military, response and recreational vessels that are actively sheening as a result of contact with oil product. Once they are operable, mariners should avoid using the stations inside the bay if possible and should make every attempt to utilize the stations in the Gulf, Frender said. Boaters whose vessels may have been affected by contact with oil may contact the U.S. Coast Guard on their VHF radios at Channel 16 or Channel 71. A new website, created by BP, lists vessel decontamination locations within the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Sector for oiled boats.