[StBernard] National Guardsmen, 'real heroes' of the spill, try new technique to suck up oil

[Westley Annis]

Apparently some folks in MS have the same idea.

http://www.sunherald.com/2010/06/08/2243638/idle-vacuum-equipment-could-be.h
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> -----------------------------------------------------

> National Guardsmen, 'real heroes' of the spill, try new technique to suck

up

> oil

>

> by Paul Murphy / Eyewitness News

>

> wwltv.com

>

> Posted on June 9, 2010 at 6:11 PM

>

> Updated today at 6:11 PM

>

>

> GRAND TERRE ISLAND, La. -- Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday took reporters

out

> to east Grand Terre Island, not far from Grand Isle. This is where a

> dredging operation is now underway to build sand barriers to catch the oil

> leaking into the Gulf from BP's wrecked wellhead.

>

> So far crews have built three miles of barriers here 6 feet high.

>

> "If that barrier wasn't there, the oil would be free to come across the

> island, through the gaps into Barataria Bay," Jindal said.

>

> The governor now has the go ahead to build these sand berms along 40 miles

> of barrier islands. The governor also got his first look at a prototype,

> vacuum barges designed and operated by the Louisiana National Guard.

>

> The barges are equipped with huge pumps that are connected to tubes that

can

> collect oil up to a mile out.

>

> "This is Cajun ingenuity. This is south Louisianians at our best to fight

> and protect out way of life," Jindal said.

>

> This is only one mission for the National Guard in the fight to keep oil

out

> of sensitive inland marshes. 1100 citizen soldiers are now on duty

deploying

> sandbags, Hesco baskets and other coastal barriers.

>

> Louisiana's adjutant general said this mission is personal for his men and

> women.

>