Public urged to report breaks in boom along the Gulf Coast

Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (985) 902-5231
(985) 902-5240


Spill responders are asking today for the public’s help in monitoring boom along the Gulf Coast. Boaters are requested to report sightings of broken, disconnected, or adrift boom; and encouraged to keep their distance from boom especially at night and in conditions of restricted visibility.

“Boom provides one more line of defense in protecting our favorite places along the Gulf Coast. It’s important the boom not be disturbed,” said Capt. Bill Drelling, U.S. Coast Guard deputy incident commander of Sector Mobile.

Agencies have received reports of boaters driving through boom or disturbing boom in attempts to access protected areas. Responders understand the inconvenience of not being able to access these areas; however, areas that are boomed include some of the most environmentally sensitive places along the coast. Opening or removing these booms may expose those sensitive areas to environmental harm.

Officials are also concerned boom that has broken loose or has been opened without authorization poses a navigational hazard to the boating public and commercial shipping traffic.

About 1.2 million feet of boom have been installed across the Gulf Coast with 900,000 feet in the Mobile Sector to date and another 3.5 million feet of boom is either staged, ordered or in production.

Report damaged, vandalized, adrift, or stolen boom to: 1-866-448-5816

For information about the response effort, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.

Key contact numbers

* Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
* Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511
* Submit your vessel for the Vessel of Opportunity Program: (281) 366-5511
* Submit a claim for damages: (800) 440-0858
* Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401



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