Gulf Oil Spill Dive: Reporter Takes A Dip Without Hazmat Suit

[highplainsdem]

Source: AP via Huffington Post

Gulf Oil Spill Dive: Reporter Takes A Dip Without Hazmat Suit
RICH MATTHEWS | 06/ 9/10 06:02 AM | AP


UNDER THE MURKY DEPTHS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO — Some 40 miles out into the Gulf Of Mexico, I jump off the boat into the thickest patch of red oil I've ever seen. I open my eyes and realize my mask is already smeared. I can't see anything and we're just five seconds into the dive.

Dropping beneath the surface the only thing I see is oil. To the left, right, up and down – it sits on top of the water in giant pools, and hangs suspended fifteen feet beneath the surface in softball sized blobs. There is nothing alive under the slick, although I see a dead jellyfish and handful of small bait fish.

I'm alone because the other divers with me wouldn't get in the water without Hazmat suits on, and with my mask oiled over and the water already dark, I don't dive deep.

-snip-

I make my way to the back of the boat unaware of just how covered I am. To be honest, I look a little like one of those poor pelicans we've all been seeing for days now. The oil is so thick and sticky, almost like a cake batter. It does not wipe off. You have to scrape it off, in layers until you finally get close to the skin. Then you pour on some Dawn dishwashing soap and scrub. I think to myself: No fish, no bird, no turtle would ever be able to clean this off of themselves. If any animal, any were to end up in this same puddle there is almost no way they could escape

-snip-


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/09/gulf-oil-spill-dive-repor_n_605582.html

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. Yet more evidence that modern day reporters are not too bright...

[w4rma]

3. This reporter is very smart. He was able to explain, in exacting detail, what it would be like for

the animals that get this stuff on them.

He *needed* to jump in to do it.

[NYC_SKP]

5. I agree with you.

I can't vouch for the effects of the dispersants, but short duration to the crude isn't likely to have long term effects and I praise the journalist for taking the effort to experience what millions of marine creatures and birds are having to endure.

:thumbsup:

[Schema Thing]

7. +1

[Skratchez]

8. If what Mac McLelland said was true...

about her hand being burnt for days after touching a glob of oil/dispersant this guy is in for a world of hurt. The dispersant is basically lye and it burns through flesh, conveniently making soap once it hits fat. :D Good times.

[xchrom]

2. Sad. Nt

[wordpix]

4. Jackass crew should film this, underwater and on the boat after

Maybe they could do something for social/environmental good for once and help their airhead viewers understand what's happening.

[Ian David]

12. He emerges from the oil, and then they kick him in the balls.

[supernova]

6. That was a ridiculous

thing to do.

And potentially deadly.

[sweettater]

9. I guess

it was a risk he was willing to make. He got his point across.

[mikelgb]

10. I thank the journalist for his service.

think he should have went with the hazmat suit though.

[Ian David]

11. Nominated for a Pulitzer AND a Darwin Award. n/t

[Veruca Salt]

13. Now THAT's reporting.

I tip my hat to a real journalist.

:patriot: :kick:

[mbperrin]

14. Yep. Need many more willing to get real facts.

Like remember when war reporters actually reported from the WAR, instead of the front of some hotel?

[Critters2]

15. +1 nt

[lutefisk]

16. I'd like to see Cheney and his oil industry government appointees take that dive

.
.
Sort of a modern day tar and feathering for what those fuckers did.
.
.