Taiwan Oil Skimmer Heads to Gulf -- will it be allowed to operate in the Gulf?

This A-Whale skimmer ship from Taiwan stopped in Norfolk and is now on its way to the Gulf to assist in the BP oil spill clean-up if the Federal Government will allow them to help. Who knows at this point in time since they have to get EPA approval since small amounts of oil will be put back into the Gulf with the water. Let's see -- we have small amounts of oil which are barely visible versus huge amounts of oil heading for the beaches of the Gulf Coast so which will the EPA choose? Jury is out on whether EPA and the rest of this Administration is willing to accept help or continue to put roadblocks in the way of protecting the beaches. We should know shortly if Obama and his Administration will permit this ship into the Gulf to help or if they will put more roadblocks in the way.


"A Whale," a Taiwanese-owned ship billed as the world's largest skimming vessel, is docked in Norfolk, Va., on Friday, June 25, en route to the Deepwater Horizon disaster area. The ship — the length of 3 1/2 football fields and 10 stories high — is designed to collect up to 500,000 barrels of oily water a day through 12 vents on either side of its bow. (AP)

Taiwan oil skimmer heads to Gulf

NORFOLK, Va. -- With no assurances it will be allowed to join the Gulf oil cleanup, a Taiwanese-owned ship billed as the world's largest skimming vessel began a three day voyage to the scene of the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

The ship — the length of 3 1/2 American football fields and 10 stories high — is designed to collect up to 500,000 barrels of oily water a day through 12 vents on either side of its bow. It docked in Norfolk en route to the Gulf from Portugal, where it was retrofitted to skim the seas.

The ship and its crew of 32 were to leave Virginia waters Friday evening.

The owners of the “A Whale” said the ship features a new skimming approach that has never been attempted on such a large scale. They are anxious to put it to its first test in the Gulf.

“We really have to start showing people what we can do,” said Bob Grantham, project coordinator for TMT Group, a Taiwan-based shipping company.

The company is still negotiating with the Coast Guard to join the cleanup and does not have a contract with BP to perform cleanup work. The company also needs environmental approval and waiver of a nearly century-old law aimed at protecting U.S. shipping interests.

Environmental Protection Agency approval is required because some of the seawater returned to the Gulf would have traces of oil.

The Coast Guard, which has received more than 2,000 cleanup proposals, said the supertanker skimmer had survived a preliminary review and was being studied further.

Capt. Ron LaBrec said that initial review involves a number of government agencies, including the EPA.

One question, he said, is: “Will a large vessel like this be able to operate this in this kind of area?”
If the ship passes the additional review, its owners could then negotiate terms with BP. He could not provide an estimated timetable for the review would be completed.

The company said it also needs a waiver of the 1920 Jones Act, which limits the activities of foreign-flagged ships in coastal U.S. waters. The A Whale is Liberian-flagged vessel.
Grantham said TMT was hopeful it could secure the necessary approvals during the ship's three-day passage to the Gulf.

Read More at: Chinapost.com