[StBernard] Incident Commanders from the Unified Command Center visit St. Bernard operations today (with photo attached)

[Westley Annis]

Incident Commanders from the Unified Command Center visit St. Bernard
operations today




Top officials from the Unified Command Center in Houma visited St. Bernard
Parish oil spill operations today. Incident Commanders Mike Utsler and U.S.
Coast Guard Captain Roger Laferriere arrived with NOAA scientist Ed Levine
to coordinate efforts and tour operations at the St. Bernard Command Center.

Parish officials were briefed on the efforts NOAA is involved in to research
the effects the oil and dispersants are having on the oil and waters. As a
result, an Expo will be held in the near future to educate citizens about
the oil spill. NOAA scientists will be on hand to answer any questions and
provide a broad overview of how the oil spill will affect St. Bernard
waters, marshes, and marine life now and in the future. After the meeting,
officials toured the operations facilities at the Hopedale Command Center.

"The presence of Captain Laferriere symbolizes the partnership between the
Unified Command Center in Houma and the Incident Command Center in St.
Bernard Parish," St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. said. "A
coordination of efforts of all agencies involved in oil spill operations can
only be successful with support from the Unified Command Center."

U.S. Coast Guard Commander Thomas Martin, St. Bernard Parish President's
Liaison Officer, also attended the meeting.

"The relations are improving greatly between the Coast Guard, Parish and
BP," Martin said. "We are continuing to partner to increase our
effectiveness in oil response and clean up efforts."

A total of 51 vessels deployed from all three command centers in St. Bernard
Parish today to conduct boom deployment, reconnaissance and repair and
trawling operations. Additionally, a Detection Task Force consisting of
seven vessels was deployed for a 48-hour period to conduct oil detection
operations. Crews deployed 24,400 feet of hard boom and 1,200 feet of soft
boom. There is currently no oil impact on the Chandeleur Islands, which was
verified by on-scene inspection. Sixty percent of Brush Island is boomed
off, and crews conducted boom maintenance and renewal in this area.

A total of 491 fishermen involved in the Vessels of Opportunity program for
St. Bernard Parish have completed their 40-hour HazMat training class.

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