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

Chapter 6: Conclusion of Operation
provided as Figures 6-1 and 6-2. The charts visually demonstrate the effectiveness of the
skimming systems in use during the high leakage phase.
Figure 6-2. Daily average and 5-day running average product recovered by SUPSALV assets during
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response.
6-1 Demobilization – Redeployment
SUPSALV’s operation began winding down with the closure of the well. The last day the VOSS
skimmers collected any oil was 16 July. At that time, OSV RENE (Class XI Skimmer) was in the
port of Gulfport getting a new crane installed. OSVs VANGUARD and VANTAGE (two Current
Busters each) were either standing off for seismic testing, reporting no skimmable oil sighted, or
riding out bad weather in port. On 29 July, SUPSALV was directed to begin demobilization of
OSVs VANGUARD AND VANTAGE and their four Current Buster skimmer systems. The
Federal On Scene Commander (FOSC) directed them to hold the VOSS systems in the area but
to send the ships to Theodore for decontamination. RENE had completed the installation of its
new crane and was awaiting tasking. RENE’s status would not change until 18 August when
SUPSALV finally received permission to unload and decontaminate the Class XI system.
The decision to demobilize the in-shore based skimmers was also delayed in coming. No one
wanted to prematurely take systems off line when the potential for oil contaminating a harbor or
wetland still existed. The decisions were made by the Unified Area Command after vetting them
6-2