[ArmstedFragg]

The real test will come when "skimmer weather" returns mid-week.

On another note, two of the Costner devices have been integrated into skimming activities. In the past, the skimmers had to bring their collected oil in, now they're able to corral it, then let a barge with two of those Costner machines collect it on site.

[gleeaikin]

Fantastic, private enterprise strikes again.

[ClearCase_guy]

I pretty sure I'm right when I say that the ship does what it's supposed to do. The results are NOT inconclusive. It works, and it works well.

But the EPA has set the bar so high, that the federal government is still not satisfied with the purity of the water after cleaning, so the ship is not cleared to operate.

It can remove oil from the water. It can remove A LOT of oil from the water. But it's not perfect -- so it has to sit at the dock.

The way these stories are written (and I've seen quite a few) it makes it seem like the ship isn't quite up to the task -- but the reality is that the government is sabotaging the cleanup effort.

[ElkGroveDan]

Tests of Gulf oil superskimmer inconclusive

Ah darn. Time to give up then and turn to global socialism as the only answer.

[ElkGroveDan]

the Costner devices have been integrated into skimming activities.

A new roll for Costner, "Dances With EPA Bureaucrats."

[AU72]

By EPA standards all sewage treatment plants should be shut down and we all have to construct slit trenches in our backyards.

[deport]

Photo of the test run

[justa-hairyape]

The real test will come when "skimmer weather" returns mid-week.

Actually, Wednesday could see some of the worse sees over the oil gusher site since it started gushing. Over 10 feet predicted now. Wont get to good skimming seas until Friday. Here is the latest sea height predictions for near the oil spill site. Courtesy of stormsurf. Buoy location 29.18N 88.30W

We are in Hurricane season now. Bonnie is probably gonna develop from the storm system just to the east of the Yucatan later on Tuesday. Too much shear today. It is predicted to take a more northern track then Alex. Will head towards the Texas/Louisiana state line. The Oil Gusher site will get exposed to much stronger winds and seas because Bonnie will be closer. There are currently three tropical waves lined up to enter the Gulf and a low pressure system currently south of Louisiana. Seas are gonna be fairly rough most of the time. Best shot for skimming right now is the coming weekend.

Tropical Development Possible Later this Week

[TigersEye]

Tests of Gulf oil superskimmer inconclusive

Maybe they should let them try it on the oil slick.

[Cold Heat]

What did they get, 30 barrels? LOL

The only way this thing has a chance of working, is in very flat seas.

[marron]

Probably works better if you don’t use millions of gallons of dispersant, and if you put the ship in the path of the river of oil.

Probably works better if you don’t wait two months to deploy it. Probably works better if it isn’t tied up to the dock.

Apparently this has been done before and there are people who know how to do it. But, and this is a really big but, they didn’t have to contend with this government.

[Brilliant]

Oh, I get it... They called this skimmer in for “tests” because they wanted to prove to us that they were not grossly negligent when they turned down the opportunity to use it earlier.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A Whale Trials - Youtube of Coast Guard flyover of the Trial

Note the boom on one side.

Unclear as to the function...perhaps to concentrate oil?