June is usually peak season for swimming, sun bathing, and fishing along the emerald waters of Orange Beach, Alabama. This past Saturday morning the parking lots at condos were nearly empty. The beach service chairs with umbrellas remained unoccupied throughout the day. The four boats in this photo are actually two pairs of boats towing oil absorbant skimming booms. A flotilla of 50 pairs of local sportsfishermen, commercial charter fishing vessels, and government boats were working diligently with oil stained hulls throughout the morning until the surf kicked up to the extent that booms in-tow became ineffective. The damage is not from thick black crude. A rainbow colored sheen is visible in still waters. A brown milky mix of oil emulsion rolls at the water's edge of the beach. Safety patrolmen on 4x4 Kubotas, Mules and Rangers were available to discuss the advisory to stay out of the water. Only an occassional visitor would venture in any farther than knee depth. Our government is ramping up equipment in staging areas along the beach for an apparent worse scenario. Large track hoes, off road mining dump trucks, scores of 4x4 all terrain vehicles, and hundreds of port-o-lets are standing by under armed guard in State Parks. Damage claim offices are scattered from Gulf Shores to Perdido Key. The typical wait at any of the local restaurants is about an hour. We were welcomed by management at the entrance of two restaurants during the weekend with only several tables with guests enjoying a meal. Raw oysters and several species of fresh fish have been removed from the menu. The economy of the Gulf South is now under the effect of the worst oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, perhaps the nation. I expect many local businesses who invested their entire livelihood will not survive. I personally did not see any living creatures in the waters. Just the gulls waiting for a handout on the beach. More to follow during weeks ahead.
