[Ted Davisson]

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Today I am on a north bound loaded bulker ( a loaded dry cargo ship ) enroute to the ADM , Destrehan buoy system and with the Coast Guard's inspection and approval we are able to transit through the GNO Bridges where the partially sunken oil barge is still lodged aganist the bridge . The salvage operation is still in progress with divers in the water and inspecting the remains of the partially sunken oil barge . Also , there is a CG , mandatory hull inspection of all vessels that transit through the area and if oil is found on any part of the vessel's hull , it is required to stop in the de-contamination area for cleaning . Also , all vessels must transit through the bridge on a " Slow Bell " and with a two tug escourt so as not to impede the on going salvage operations . When I first came aboard the noth bound ship in the New Orleans , General Anchorage , there was still a strong oily odor in the air and with an heavy oil sheen on the water as well . Its also my understandidng that the Str. Natchez , the M/V Creole Queen and even Carnival Cruise Line has temporarily suspended all operations in the port of New Orleans as well . The spill recovery may take weeks and even months to complete but at least traffic is moving on a limited basis but this whole ordeal and incident just goes to show how very little it takes to shut down and cripple a major marine and economic engine on this countries inland waterway . We may really never know the full environmental and economic impact this incident and oil spill may have on not only this state , region and the nation but it goes without saying that the ripple effect will be massive and either directly or indirectly we will all feel the the results and negative consequences of this accident in one way or another .
Smoothe Sailing !
Ted Davisson