FWC SEOC DAILY BRIEF

For Operational Period: July 11, 2010

Click here to download a printable version of this report.

Report from Robin Gedeon, DEP

• I flew with FWC Pilot Frank Utermohlen in Zone 2. Whitney Kissack relieved David Snyder today and flew with FWC Pilot Chris Colon in Zone 1.   The weather was clear in the morning and mostly cloudy in the afternoon with winds out of the west at 7 to 9 knots.
  
  
• Escambia county representatives were present to ride along in Zone 1 with Whitney Kissack and FWC Pilot Chris Colon.  They reported windrows of transparent sheen approximately 1 square mile west of Pensacola Pass.  A patch of rainbow/metallic sheen approximately 20 feet in diameter (site 6) was detected near the Pensacola Pass.
  
  
• There was a 10 foot yellowish-brown colored mat of biological material with a transparent sheen emitting from it and two small areas of orange-brown colored weathered product approximately 3 feet in diameter located in the Big Lagoon.
  
  
• Another area of silver streamers was observed near shore approximately one mile long (site 5) off Perdido Beach. They also observed a silver streamer of sheen in the Perdido Pass approximately 50 ft by 10 ft.
  
  
• There were three VOO's in the area and two of them were working.
  
  
• During the afternoon flight a 25 ft by 20 ft area of transparent sheen was observed inside the Pensacola pass.  They observed 2-3 small patches of silver sheen within a larger transparent sheen located approximately 5 miles south of Pensacola Pass.
  
  
• No VOO's were observed from the afternoon flight.
  
  
• In Zone 2, we observed narrow streamers of transparent sheen coming off of a convergence line that contained sea foam and sargassum located ½ mile south of Fort Walton Beach Pier (DSC01097).  It was approximately 1 square mile in area.
  
  
• Another trace amount of transparent sheen was observed 1.5 miles south of Hurlbert Field that was approximately 5 miles in length running parallel to the coastline that also contained sea foam (DSC01139).
  
  
• The afternoon flight showed a streamer of transparent sheen 2 miles in length west of Navarre Beach (DSC01184).
  
  
• No other sizable sheen was observed for as far as we could see.

Report from Rene Baumstark FWC / FWRI

• Conditions were good for surveys this morning with light clouds and calm seas. Only one area of Sheen was observed near Perdido Pass.
  
  
• The Orion FWC offshore patrol vessel was able to validate the questionable Sargassum report yesterday. Verification reported "a large area of Sargassum approximately 50 yards X 1/4 mile long. Mixed within the Sargassum was a small amount of weathered tar balls about the size of a small potato."
  
  
• The verification indicates that recent sightings questioned as Sargassum may indeed have been Sargassum. There is also potential for presence of tar balls.
  
  
• Presence of tar balls is difficult to evaluate from high altitude flights.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR 07/12/10

Note: The following are flights originating out of Air Station Clearwater and Miami.

• C130 - Depart 1000 EDT. Fly attached pattern.  Inspect area 40 NM SW of Tyndall, then fly SE to a point approximately 65 NM south of Tyndall, dependent on status of Warning areas.  Note: W151 will be HOT, times TBD. (as per attached Eglin Range Ops doc).
  
  
• *Southbound HH-60 - Depart 0815 EDT. Fly along the coast line to Key West and remain clear of the warning areas.
  
  
• Northbound HH-60 - Depart 0800 EDT. Inspect an area of anomalies south of Apalachicola and Tyndall. See attachment for flight track.
  
  
• HC144: Depart 0845 EDT. Airsta Miami DWH Patrol (1.0 - 1.2 ISO DWH) Depart Opa Locka airport. Route: Fly along southeastern coast of Florida to Dry Tortugas, remaining south of the keys. Continue on LE patrol. Dedicate approximately 1.0 - 1.2 hrs to DWH mission.

To access NOTAMs for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill go to https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/

Under NOTAM Retrieval Locations enter "KZHU" in the box and then View NOTAMs

Deep Water Horizon Air Support website: (click 'DHASS' for daily consolidated flight schedule) https://1afnorth.region1.ang.af.mil/Deepwater_Spill/default.aspx

Visit NOAA's website for an "Open Water Oil Identification Job Aid":
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY(entry_subtopic_topic)=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=265&subtopic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=8&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1

PENSACOLA COMMAND (VESSEL/AIR PATROLS)

• Destin Pass Early Dawn: Incoming tide was reported with no oil products observed.
  
  
• Pensacola Pass Early Dawn: Incoming tide was reported with no oil products observed.
  
  
• Perdido Pass Early Dawn:  Incoming tide was reported with no oil products observed.
  
  
• Gulf Breeze Early Dawn:  No oil product was observed in the area.
  
  
• FWC air patrols reported a thin metallic stream south of Perdido Pass.  The area reported was 50 feet by 10 feet.
  
  
• FWC air patrols reported two areas, three feet in diameter, of weathered oil and light sheen west of Perdido Key.
  
  
• Oil sheen mixed with a grass line was reported ½ mile south of Pensacola NAS in the Pensacola Bay.  The area was 100 yards long by 5 feet wide.
  
  
• FWC officers responded to a sunken vessel in Little Sabine Bay.  The vessel was unoccupied and oil sheen was observed around the vessel.  The owner was contacted and made arrangements to have the vessel removed from the water.  The sheen was from fuel leaking from the vessel.
  
  
• FWC officers responded to two unfounded oil complaints.  One was in Escambia Bay near the I-10 Bridge and the other one was in the Choctawhatchee River.
  
  
• A brown substance containing a black stringy substance was located in Pensacola Bay. This area was two miles long and two feet wide.

ST. ANDREWS COMMAND (LAND OPS)

• 1 Priority calls as of 1830 hrs CST.
  
  
• 0 dead, 0 live birds reported.
  
  
• St. Andrews Recon Command contacted Walton, Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties to request information on any incidents that may have occurred overnight dealing with cleaning crews. There were no incidents reported in Escambia, Walton, or Santa Rosa Counties.
  
  
• In Perdido Key State Park; a male subject is harassing and making obscene gestures to BP cleanup crews. He states he is upset at BP for hiring out of state clean-up crews.  A DEP Officer issued a trespass warning to the subject.  The subject left the park after receiving the warning.
  
  
• Reports of trenches being dug and other attempts to sabotage cleanup crew were once again unfounded. The following entities were contacted to verify:
  
  
  • Escambia County SO:  no reports of sabotage or trenches at Portofino Condos
    
    
  • Portofino Security:  no reports from overnight
    
    
  • Backhoe Contractor:  no reports from overnight
    
    
• Morning recon patrol- Ft. Pickens is clear. Johnson Beach has 80 feet of .5 inch tar balls on the beach.
  
  
• Afternoon RECON flight - The afternoon flight in zone 2 showed a streamer of transparent sheen 2 miles in length west of Navarre Beach.  No other sizable sheen was observed. In zone 1 a small patch with a couple of windrows of transparent sheen approximately 25 feet long by 20 feet wide was observed just inside the Pensacola Pass. Approximately 2- 3 patches of silver sheen with transparent sheen emitting from it was located approximately 5 miles south of the Pensacola Pass.
  
  
• Salvage recovery – a PFD (life ring) with a strobe attached was located off of Johnson Beach. Transocean and USGC have been contacted.
  
  
• Other Information- FWCC has taken complaints in the Sea Side Area of Walton County from beachgoers about the BP Contractors setting up their work tents on the beaches along the beach chair line. They are not setting up their tents higher on the beach. If the BP contractors set up their work tents higher on the beach they will be in conflict with those monitoring sea turtle activity and the emergency vehicle operators. Turned over to USCG for resolution.
  
  
• A report was received that a group of people are going to the beaches sometime between Monday & Wednesday to confront the beach cleaners because BP has brought in people from Georgia to clean the beaches instead of hiring the people that live in the counties involved in the oil spill, who are out of work.  One person was overheard making the statement that “if law enforcement got involved he would  ‘pop a cap in them’. He had nothing to lose. He had already been in prison once, and if he goes back at least he has food and shelter.” This information was forwarded to the Florida Fusion Center.
  
  
• Recon Reports- 136 total RECON reports as of 1830 hrs CST.

CARRABELLE COMMAND (VESSEL PATROLS)

• There were two oil related activities in Bay County and one in Franklin County. All three were called in as possible oil sheens. Officers dispatched to each mission found no oil or oil related substances. Recon reports were submitted. No unusual occurrences to report.

BIG BOAT PATROLS (ENDURANCE CLASS)

Information provided by Lt. Rama Shuster:

• The Guardian patrolled south to “O” tower and then east to the “K” tower.
  
  
• We boarded a recreational vessel approximately 13 miles south of Carrabelle.  Upon boarding the captain stated that he had some short grouper on the boat.  The inspection revealed undersize Gag Grouper and undersize Red Grouper in the cooler.  The live well contained two whole bodied stone crab and numerous undersized Black Sea Bass.  There were also “J” hooks baited with live bait.  The captain was issued two misdemeanor citations for the Grouper and warned for the other violations.
  
  
• We ran a second recon mission in the afternoon to check out some reported dark spots in the water south of St. George Island beach.  We responded to the area and observed clean water with numerous shadows from clouds.
  
  
• We did not see any sign of oil.

Information provided by Lt. Scott Pearce:

• The Orion spent the morning conducting general maintenance. We departed the yacht club at approximately 1430hrs.
  
  
• We patrolled Pensacola Bay to Perdido Bay. As we navigated through Pensacola pass en-route to offshore we experienced a generator shut down. This happened 4 more times en-route and at the dock. Temperatures appear to be good, I attempted to trouble shoot the problem with no success. I will try again in the AM. I am scheduling a PM Service for either Wednesday or Thursday morning. I will keep you posted on the generator.
  
  
• No oil was located during today’s patrol.
  
  
• 7/12/10: Departure time will depend on success with the generator.

VESSEL’S OF OPPORTUNITY “VOO’S”

• Two VOO’s were reported working an area of metallic sheen south of Perdido Pass.
  
  
• FWC patrols responded to a request by VOO personnel to assist with vessel traffic near Ono Island in the ICW.  The VOO’s were repairing a boom line.

DECON VESSELS

• FWC officers assisted with monitoring and slowing vessel traffic around the decon vessels in Pensacola Pass and Destin Pass.
  
  
• The decon vessel Stephen Dann is anchored at Pensacola Pass.
  
  
• Lady Glenda is anchored inside Destin Pass east of Crab Island.

SKIMMER REPORT

• Destin Pass – The state skimmer vessel was not seen in the Destin Pass area.  There was no oil product located in the pass.
  
  
• Pensacola Pass – The large state skimmer vessel was reported down for the day for repairs.  The other two smaller vessels were tasked with boom repair.

BOOM INTEGRITY

• Pensacola Pass Early Dawn:   Boom in place near Pensacola NAS appeared to be dragging one of the anchor points.  Boom was in place near Fort Pickens.
  
  
• Boom around Fairpoint in Pensacola Bay area was reported to be loose in one area that was 12 feet long.
  
  
• VOO’s were observed inspecting and adjusting the boom surrounding the EPA Lab in the Santa Rosa Sound.
  
  
• A 200 yard gap was reported in the boom near Garcon Point in East Bay.
  
  
• Gulf County: The boom doesn't seem to be well lit. There were only 28 lights tied to the boom that crossed from the cape to St. Joe beach. There were three sub sections of boom that weren’t lit at all and more boom on the inside of the cape that was also not lit. There are many buoys throughout the mouth of the bay without any kind of reflective tape or lights.  I believe this is a safety hazard, I had a hard time seeing the boom in the rough seas I had to night.
  
  
• Franklin County: Crew on site repairing breech at the Eastpoint Pier.

Scheduled Assets

AVAILABLE COASTAL ASSETS FOR JULY 12, 2010

PENSACOLA
•    ORION
•    22 MID-RANGE VESSELS

DESTIN
•    10 MID-RANGE VESSELS

BAY
•    4 MID-RANGE VESSELS

GULF
•    2 MID-RANGE VESSELS
•    1 IN-SHORE VESSEL

FRANKLIN
•    1 MID-RANGE VESSEL
•    2 IN-SHORE VESSELS
•    45’ GUARDIAN OFF SHORE PATROL

LAND “OPS”
•    7 ATV’S

AVIATION ASSETS
•    3 ROTOR WING
•    1 FIXED WING

Report by Henry Norris

• Most action centered on Stacking Cap activity at the BOP.  The flange plate and 6 bolts came off last night. BP engineers were checking to ensure plate face was smooth to ensure good seal.  Attempts to mount the Transition Spool/Mule assembly to the flange plate are ongoing and could be complete tonight.  All is appearing to go well.
  
  
• Visit http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9033572&contentId=7063039 for videos describing procedure and twice daily audio updates.  At the surface, the Helix Producer is ready to come on line this evening.  The Helix Producer can capture up to 25,000 bbls/day.  I am attaching a slide showing configuration.
  
  
• Tomorrow Mr. Liam O'Brien, Director, National Geospatial‐Intelligence Agency (NGA) Office of the Americas, and Mr. Todd Cummings, Chief, North America & Homeland Security Division Office of the Americas, will be visiting the FPCP for a tour and briefing. Mr. Obrien's office is responsible for all of NGA's efforts in support of the Deepwater Horizon Incident response.

Report from Lt. Jerry Leathers - DEP

Sentry and Surveillance Operations

Vessels

Sentry-

• M/V Florida Fish Finder – Back from resupply in Key West and en-route to patrol the Eastern Sentry Line.

• M/V Ocean Star – Patrolling Western Sentry Patrol Line.

Offshore Recon

• M/V Becker- Underway and patrolling Eddy Franklin NW area.

Aviation

• HH-60 -  Flying North West Florida Coast
• HH-60 – Flying South West Florida Coast
• C-130 – Flying ACC Oil Mapping Mission (see diversion note below)
• Hu25 Falcon – Flying Southeast Florida coast to Key West and return.

Notes

• 48 Oil related samples in processing. Total of 142 completed with no DW findings.
  
  
• This morning a satellite showed an anomaly approx 180 miles due west of Key West. The C-130 was diverted to investigate and reported nothing seen. The C-130 then continued on its regularly scheduled flight path
  
  
• Loop current show’s no conductivity, No signs of oil products from DH.
  
  
• Several NRC Reports today reference sheens or Tar Balls – All investigated or being investigate

Report from George Henderson:

• Continued to work on the Night Operations Plan and the Dune Cleaning Plan. Work progressed slowly; the goal is to get it right with minimal future changes.
  
  
• I coordinated with EOC and DOI/NPS on a Monday AM meeting on State recon activities on Federal Park land. I also coordinated with Jim Roberts, Florida Branch 1 Director to visit his operation and share information on shoreline activities, oiling, resource protection and clean-up protocols.
  
  
• While FWC received reports of failures in the observer program, these were not reflected in the 214 work task forms required after operations are completed. Thus, a new line of follow-up needs to be in place to track these reports. The FWS is bringing in a person to assist with this task on Tuesday. The latest statistics have over 100 people qualified and another 70 in the queue. Only 3 candidates became eligible after changing the screening requirements. This indicates to me that the state standards for training or education were never the problem; rather it appears to be a backlog in application processing.

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

Oiled Bird Update for July 12

Four birds rescued: One laughing gull, one common loon, and two northern gannets were rescued in Florida yesterday and taken in for rehabilitation. No birds were released.  Three birds in rehab died.  Two dead visibly oiled birds were recovered yesterday.
Florida’s totals of visibly oiled birds now stand at:

• 152 recovered alive
  
  • (99 have died, 10 released, 43 in rehab)
• 131 recovered dead
• Total live and dead recovered is 283
• Total dead is 230

There has been one visibly oiled dolphin and 14 visibly oiled sea turtles rescued in Florida during the event.

Note: cause of death and stranding has not been determined for these animals; these are simply reports of birds, turtles and dolphins that had some measure of oil product externally.  389 additional dead birds have been recovered in the panhandle during the event that aren’t visibly oiled externally but have not yet been necropsied to determine cause of death.  
For the consolidated wildlife report that can be distributed and that is updated by noon each day go to: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doctype/2931/55963

• SEOC remains at Level 1 activation.
• Daily brief is held at 1000 Hours.
• County conference call is held daily at 1600 Hours.

COMMAND TEAM FOR OPERATIONAL PERIOD JULY 12 – JULY 18:

LTC BRUCE BUCKSON (850-251-7230) - INCIDENT COMMANDER
MAJOR JEFF HUBERT (321-863-6744) - FIELD INCIDENT COMMANDER
MAJOR CAMILLE SOVEREL (850-2510210) - OPERATIONS CHIEF
CAPTAIN DEAN KELLY (850-251-7321) - LOGISTICS OFFICER AT SEOC FWC ESF 16 WATCH DESK (850-921-0234)
LIEUTENANT JASON MARLOW (850-519-6547) AND LIEUTENANT JAMIE BEVAN (904-237-5264) - WILL SHARE RECON RESPONSIBLITIES IN THE SEOC STATE WARNING POINT OFFICE
CAPT. KEVIN VISLOCKY (850-251-7286) AND PILOT JOHN MCDONALD (850-251-7267) WILL SHARE AIR BOSS RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE SEOC STATE WARNING POINT OFFICE
DEP LT. GERALD LEATHERS (305-360-0931) WILL REMAIN  AT PENINSULA COMMAND - MIAMI
CAROL KNOX - WILDLIFE DEPUTY INCIDENT COMMANDER.
TOM OSTERTAG - WILDLIFE OPERATION CHIEF.
DAN ELLINOR IS REPRESENTING DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES.

CLEAN-UP BRANCH LOCATIONS

BRANCH 1 - Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties
Bayou Chico Pensacola
700 Myrick Street, Pensacola, FL 32505
USNG: 16R DU 75561 64213
DD MM.mm: 30 24.582N, 87 15.266W
DD.dd: 30.40971, -87.25444

BRANCH 2 - Okaloosa & Walton
USCG Station Destin
2000 Miracle Strip Parkway, Destin, FL 32540
USNG: 16R EU 45538 62216
DD MM.mm: 30 23.464N, 86 31.559W
DD.dd: 30.39107, -86.52598

BRANCH 3 - Bay
Panama City Marina
1 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401
USNG: 16R FU 28651 36408
DD MM.mm: 30 9.134N, 85 39.847W
DD.dd: 30.15223, -85.66412

BRANCH 4 - Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla & Jefferson
Port St. Joe Staging
1624 Grouper Avenue, Port St. Joe, FL 32456
USNG: 16R FU 62992 01505
DD MM.mm: 29 49.996N, 85 18.779W
DD.dd: 29.83327, -85.31299

The email accounts for the Branches are now available.

Email address:  FL_Branch1@em.myflorida.com
Webmail login at webmail.myflorida.gov as:  FL_Branch1@seoc  
Branches 2, 3, & 4 are available with the same naming convention.

Brief submitted by: Captain Dean Kelly 07-12-10

"The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will."  -Theodore Roosevelt

Written by :

FWC

 

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