Focus on Boom June 10

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — An oil skimmer, a participant in the Vessels of Opportunity Program, offloads bags of oiled sorbent boom onto a larger vessel in Barataria Bay, Grand Isle, June 10, 2010. Skimming vessels, many of which are converted fishing and shrimping boats, provide one type of weapon used to combat the oil mid-ocean and help minimize the shore impact. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Critchfield.

GRAND ISLE, La. – Two boats, both participants in the Vessels of Opportunity Program, back up stern to stern allowing the oil skimmer to offload bags of oiled sorbent boom collected by the ship in Barataria Bay, Grand Isle June 10, 2010. Skimming vessels, many converted fishing and shrimping boats, provide one type of critical tool used to combat the oil mid-ocean and help minimize shore impact. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Critchfield.

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Containment boom and sorbent boom block a patch of oil from reaching an island populated by brown and white pelicans and many other species of birds in Barataria Bay, Grand Isle, June 10, 2010. Containment boom is used to block or contain oil slicks and sorbent boom is selectively permeable so that it absorbs oil and not water. Boom is a defensive measure used to help prevent the oil from invading beaches and environmentally sensitive areas. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Critchfield.