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Giant oil skimmer being tested in Gulf by TOM BREEN NEW ORLEANS — A giant new skimmer started tests Saturday to show if it can help Gulf of Mexico cleanup crews working to block millions of gallons of oil from reaching land. The Taiwanese vessel dubbed A Whale, which its owners describe as the largest oil skimmer in the world, began testing just north of the Macondo Deepwater well site. An April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig there killed 11 workers and began what is now the largest oil spill in Gulf history. The vessel will cruise a 25-square-mile test site through Sunday, according to TMT Shipping, the company that created A Whale by retrofitting an oil tanker after the explosion sent millions of gallons of crude spilling into the Gulf. The U.S. Coast Guard, along with BP, are waiting to see if the vessel, which is 10 stories high and as long as 3 1/2 football fields, can live up to its makers’ promise of being able to process up to 21 million gallons of oil-fouled water a day. The ship works by taking in water through 12 vents, separating the oil and pumping the cleaned seawater back into the Gulf. A Whale is being tested close to the wellhead because officials believe it will be most effective where the oil is thickest rather than closer to shore. The ship arrived in the Gulf on Wednesday, but officials have wanted to test its capability as well as have the federal Environmental Protection Agency sign off on the water it will pump back into the gulf. Although the ship cleans most of the oil from seawater, trace amounts of crude remain. (click photo to continue reading) (Photo: Judi Bottoni / AP)

Giant oil skimmer being tested in Gulf

by TOM BREEN

NEW ORLEANS — A giant new skimmer started tests Saturday to show if it can help Gulf of Mexico cleanup crews working to block millions of gallons of oil from reaching land.

The Taiwanese vessel dubbed A Whale, which its owners describe as the largest oil skimmer in the world, began testing just north of the Macondo Deepwater well site. An April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig there killed 11 workers and began what is now the largest oil spill in Gulf history.

The vessel will cruise a 25-square-mile test site through Sunday, according to TMT Shipping, the company that created A Whale by retrofitting an oil tanker after the explosion sent millions of gallons of crude spilling into the Gulf.

The U.S. Coast Guard, along with BP, are waiting to see if the vessel, which is 10 stories high and as long as 3 1/2 football fields, can live up to its makers’ promise of being able to process up to 21 million gallons of oil-fouled water a day.

The ship works by taking in water through 12 vents, separating the oil and pumping the cleaned seawater back into the Gulf.

A Whale is being tested close to the wellhead because officials believe it will be most effective where the oil is thickest rather than closer to shore.

The ship arrived in the Gulf on Wednesday, but officials have wanted to test its capability as well as have the federal Environmental Protection Agency sign off on the water it will pump back into the gulf. Although the ship cleans most of the oil from seawater, trace amounts of crude remain.

(click photo to continue reading)

(Photo: Judi Bottoni / AP)

Filed under gulf of mexico oil new orleans news think bp

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Matthew Update

madinaswan:

There’s really no way to appropriately express our appreciation for everyone’s support.  We’ve had calls, letters, gifts, and well wishes pouring in from all around the world and it’s truly the most beautiful and genuine show of compassion and love that we’ve ever experienced.  we very sincerely thank you all..


Matthew’s making good progress.  His doctors have scheduled the next surgery for July 16th wherein they hope to re-apply the portion of his skull that has been removed to accommodate the swelling in his brain.  So for the next 2 weeks he will continue to rest, build up his strength and spirit and hopefully by then he’ll be healthy enough for surgery.  Huge thank you to Dr. Neckrysh and his team of neuro-surgeons and the entire staff at UIC Hospitals, who’ve been amazing and have quite literally saved Matthew’s life.


In other news, the Chicago Police Department have arrested Justin Pivec - the alleged attacker.  Detectives Michael D’Andrea and Joseph Gentile of Area 4 Special Victims Unit and the entire CPD have worked relentlessly to make the arrest and I can’t thank them enough.  For now, Justin Pivec is charged with Aggravated Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury.  We’ll release more information as we get it and as is appropriate to share.  I’ll never understand violence in general… violence against women is simply appaling.  When Matthew saw the attack in progress, he was well aware that intervening was most likely going to turn out pretty badly for himself, but he did it anyway.. i’m just super proud of him and super grateful for the community that has rallied around him.


This has been an impossible time for us and without the support of these doctors, the police, our attorney, management, friends, family, bands, labels, and every single one of you who has written, called, text, sent gifts, positive energy, love, support, awareness, etc.  I don’t think we would have been able to pull through.  So please, I hope every one of you realize what a critical part you’ve played in helping Matthew recover.  We’ll never be able to thank you enough.  all the love in the world xoxo
Nathan

Glad to hear his progress is going good.  I will continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers as I’m sure the rest of the tumblr community will.  He is a hero.

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