On the ground update #1

I went to a hazardous materials training session today facilitated by the St. Bernard Parish Government. There were over 200 commercial fisherman as well as a number of recreational charter fishing captains. The session was sponsored by BP as a way to fast-track certification for those who will be working to corral the oil leak.

I was supposed to actually film some of the session but after talking with an old family friend, Mr. Charles Robin, I decided to take the training so that I could work with him on his double rigger by laying out protective oil booms. I won't be able to start working with Mr. Charles on the Ellie Margaret until I have fulfilled my obligations to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to film sessions with their CEO and president Larry Schweiger.

Phase 1 of the operation will begin tomorrow morning and will consist of teams of fisherman on their personal vessels laying out oil booms. They will be assigned to certain areas in the eastern part of the Breton Sound basin in St. Bernard Parish.

I will be heading to Venice, LA in the morning to film a boat tour with the folks from NWF. I believe that NWF is going to play a huge role in the national response to this tragedy and I consider myself very lucky to be working with them.

This is a very stressful time for the people of St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. Those of us who've invested much of our lives into the estuaries of the Breton Sound basin know that this oil leak will be detrimental to this great American natural resource.