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

Chapter 5: Operations
• DWH oil was released from a depth of 5,100 feet whereas EXXON VALDEZ oil was
released very close to the surface.
• DWH oil was released nearly 50 miles from land in a large body of water and EXXON
VALDEZ oil was released just south of Valdez, Alaska in a confined sound.
• Dispersants used during the oil release prevented much of the DWH oil from reaching the
surface.
• Other organizations responded to the DWH spill where as SUPSALV was the only major
responder to EXXON VALDEZ and SUPSALV was able to position its skimmers to best
collect the oil.
As with all SUPSALV operations, a daily Situation Report (SITREP) was issued at the end of the
day. This email message accounted for equipment and personnel status, operation summary,
intentions in the next 24 hours, and issues needing resolution. A Excel spreadsheet detailing the
numbers and location of the equipment in the Gulf of Mexico operating region was attached to
the message. Samples of these messages and spreadsheets are provided in Appendix C.
Figure 5-3. Manning by ESSM contractor (including subcontracted National Response
Corporation personnel.
5-4