Removal Begins On Anchors Used For BP Oil Spill Containment Boom

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – As oil gushed from BP's broken well, thousands of 20- to 70-pound flat anchors were dropped along the coast to secure the containment boom. As it was later removed, some anchors got stuck in sediment. Fishermen and coastal authorities have been complaining that the anchors are now a navigation hazard. The Coast Guard is ordering BP to test methods for removing anchors without damaging submerged pipelines or the surrounding fragile and eroding ecosystem. Underwater salvage teams will place anchors in a test area, then come up with the best way to search for the anchors and get them out of the water. Teams will then target the anchors used in the spill response throughout Louisiana.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.