Flyovers conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the presence of emulsified oil in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 2 miles from the southern end of the Chandeleur Islands. Three bay boats able to perform skimming operations deployed from Venice to address the oil in the area of the emulsified oil. So far, 114 barrels of the emulsified oil/water mixture have been recovered in St. Bernard. Skimming operations continued into the afternoon and evening to recover more oil.
 
St. Bernard Parish deployed a total of 51 boats from all three command centers to conduct either boom repair/maintenance or boom deployment, St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said. Additionally, a trawling vessel sent to trawl for tar balls recovered none today. The U.S. Coast Guard deployed two manned vessels to conduct “fast attack” operations in the event of an oil sighting.
 
Boom maintenance, deployment, and cleaning, continued in the area of the Chandeleur Islands today. Surveillance and boom repair operations were conducted in the waters of Brush Island and Door Point. Crews deployed 2,000 feet of soft absorbent boom to the Lake Machias area.
 
HazMat classes continued today for the fishermen involved in the Vessels of Opportunity Program. Anyone assigned to a team rotation as a captain that has not been scheduled for this training must call 504-569-1905 to schedule training. Captains also must provide the names and numbers of their deckhands so that they may be called and scheduled for training.