Skimmer vessel debuts in Ocean Springs

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi (WALA) - Since being capped, crude has temporarily stopped spewing from the well in the Gulf. But there's still plenty of oil offshore. In Mississippi, local officials are continuing their efforts to keep the shorelines clean. New equipment was unveiled in Ocean Springs.

Thanks to money from BP and a push by Governor Haley Barbour, 14 new skimmers will be on hand to aid in the clean-up. Friday the first skimmer hit the water, which is giving many folks some relief.

City officials are working to make sure that only the tide washes up on beaches in Ocean Springs. Lately, no heavy oil slicks have been spotted, and the mayor wants to keep it that way.

"We're relieved the oil well has been capped. We're elated, but we're anxious and we're keeping or fingers crossed. At the same time we have to hold BP's feet to the fire, because there's still millions of gallons of oil lurking around in the Gulf of Mexico and it's headed our way," Mayor Connie Moran said.

The governor ordered Oil Piranha Skimmers from a local yacht designer. Connie Moran said it's the most innovative skimmer yet in the Gulf.

"They can skim up to 6,000 gallons of oil per hour, that is huge and it automatically separates it. It has a belt system with a foam mop that self squeegees out and goes right back into water. It can offload to barges about 100 gallons per minute so it can work in tandem with barges that are out there," Moran added.

The new equipment is added protection. The city has already placed fabric fencing at the foot of marshes to guard sensitive areas. Also, crews walk the shoreline on a daily basis to identify tar balls and dispatch clean up crews.

"I'm glad to see them making efforts to be preventive, so far so good," beachgoer Robert Wood said.

Folks have been enjoying the sand and sun despite the threat of looming oil. Now, with new equipment, Moran, is feeling good about future of the shore.

"Feel much more confident," Moran added.

The vessels can also skim oil in shallow water in addition to deeper waters with heavy wave action. The rest of the skimmers will be delivered throughout the month.