Gulf oil slick and boating

[trobinson017]

I just got to thinking about the BP oil slick out in the Gulf of Mexico. I live very near the gulf in the Tampa Bay area and boat out there often, usually no more than 10 miles out at the most. If the oil slick comes around this far and is in our waters could we still boat? Is it safe to run a boat motor if there's oil on the water? What would it do to the water jacket in the engine? Or, are the water intakes on the lower unit lower enough in the water to not suck up oil? What would oil do to the hull finish? I figure I'd better ask now before the situation presents itself.

P.S. I don't mean to sound selfish. My boating pleasure pales in comparison to the environmental and commercial disaster that is unfolding as I type. I am concerned more for those things but curious as well about my questions.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Gulf oil slick and boating

We have a number of threads on this subject in Dockside chat.....no need to start a new one. I will close this one please feel free to visit Dockside Chat and comment in the current threads.