Written by Kris Land
One More Reason: The BP Oil Spill
At this point, just about everyone who has turned on a television news channel or picked up a newspaper has heard of the BP oil spill. Also referred to as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, this disaster occurred after methane gas exploded on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The incident occurred at 9:45 pm central time on April 20th, 2010. This is significant because it would mark the beginning of the largest accidental marine spill in the history of drilling.
Aftermath of the Explosion
The explosion was devastating. Eleven workers were killed and 17 others were injured. A total of over 205 million gallons of crude oil leaked into the ocean currents. It wasnt until September 19th that the relief well process succeeded and the federal government labeled the site as effectively dead.
The oil that leaked into the natural environment began destroying wildlife and surrounding habitats. In
November a total of 4,200 square miles of shrimping real estate was closed down because tar balls were present in the water. Skimmer ships were put to work building containment booms, sand barricades and anchored barriers to help stem the progress of the oil spill. There was hope that these blockades would stop the spill from reaching pristine beaches, estuaries and miles of wetlands.
As more research was done into the accident, the results become more unsettling. Scientists revealed that they believe there are immense amounts of dissolved oil still located under the surface of the water, where it cannot be seen. Based on calculations made by independent researcher Samantha Joye, an area of 80 square miles around the oil rig is labeled a kill zone with no living marine life in or at the bottom of the ocean.
The Alternative Energy Preventative
Alternative energy could have helped prevent disasters like the BP oil spill. Clean, green technology makes it possible to operate machinery and continue using the luxurious of modern innovation without the waste and risk. Some individuals and organizations have taken an active role in finding cost effective solutions that work.
For example, the Seabird project is currently underway and will involve refitting a former Navy ship with green marine technology. The U.S.S. New Bedford, which is currently the Seabird of the Seawind Fisheries, will take green technology to a new level by proving that it can be used as the ship joins in the effort to clean up the worlds oceans of manmade pollution. The Seabird was once an instrument of the military and later became a movie star in the 1955 film, Mister Roberts. If a ship such as this one can work in harmony with the natural environment, then perhaps we can begin to do the same.
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Related Articles:
Powering the Sea Bird: The G50 Baldor Reliance AC VC MotorKris Land
The History of Pulse Detonation: Science Fiction or Promising Technology?Kris Land
Environmentally Friendly FishingKris Land
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1944: Camano Class Light Cargo Ship was laid down for the US Army as FS-289 at Wheeler Shipbuilding in Whitestone, NY.
1945: Delivered to US Army.
1950: Acquired by the US Navy on July 1, 1950 and placed in service as USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1954: The movie, Mister Roberts, was made on the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1955 - 1963: Used as a cargo supply ship for the Texas Towers, a network of advanced radar stations located off the Eastern Seaboard. In 1957, Capt. Sixto Mangual was commander of the AKL-17 and in 1961 it was rechristened the USNS New Bedford. The New Bedford, sailing out of State Pier, was keeping vigil when Texas Tower No. 4 callapsed off the New Jersey coast during a January 1961 nor'easter.
1963: Reclassified as Miscellaneous Unclassified (IX-308).
1971: The New Bedford (IX-308) served as a Torpedo Test Firing Vessel in the Puget Sound area.
1994: Ceremony in New Bedford.
1995: The ship was struck from the Naval Register on April 4.
2004: The Sea Bird's current disposition is a tuna long liner (fishing boat) out of San Diego, CA.
2006: Design of the Tesla Turbine began on June 11, 2006. The Sea Bird was sold by Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for commercial service.
2007: The Sea Bird was drydocked for renovations.
2008: The Sea Bird setting sail to Sea-Tac in Seattle, WA.
2009 - 2010: The Sea Bird is currently docked at Seattle Sea-Tac.
