U.S. NAVY SALVAGE REPORT DEEPWATER HORIZON ... - ESSM

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response
Inshore skimming occurred in challenging conditions as well. The Gulf of Mexico is a large body
of water and while SUPSALV’s Class V Marco skimmers are capable of operating offshore, they
are not capable of withstanding significant wind and waves or traveling very far as there are no
facilities on board for crew members. The distance from their assigned locations (offshore
barrier islands) to safe ports complicated the task of keeping the boat crews safe and making the
systems effective. Assigning a jack up or spud barge to support the deployed Marco skimmers
proved to be an effective solution. The barge could lift the skimmers on to their deck to give the
skimmers a safe place to be stored during off hours or during heavy weather. Figure 1-3 shows
a spud barge that provided secure shelter for 2 MARCO Class V skimmers operating out of
Slidell, LA.
Figure 1-3. Resolve spud barge with 2 MARCO Class V skimmers on deck
departing Gulfport. Barges provided secure storage for the skimmers and
their crew when weather conditions exceeded their seakeeping capability.
With this operation taking place in the Gulf of Mexico during the mid summer months, the threat
of extreme weather existed and was planned for. A United States Fleet Forces Command
(USFF) Severe Weather Plan was promulgated for use in the event of a serious tropical
storm/hurricane threat. The plan identified required tasks and Navy assets available to assist the
Unified Command in evacuating the Gulf Region in the advent of a category 2 or larger hurricane
impacting the area of operations.
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