Vessel of Opportunity Program

The British Petroleum (BP) Corporation has announced a Vessel of Opportunity Program for commercial fishermen who are interested in assisting in the clean up efforts resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig.

Any fishermen, with a vessel, who wants to assist in the BP program can sign up at the Jean Lafitte Town Hall, 2654 Jean Lafitte Boulevard in Lafitte or the Grand Isle Town Hall, 180 Ludwig in Grand Isle. Vessels owners will need to provide information about their vessel: name of owner and contact information, length of vessel, its draft, horsepower and type. Fishermen and vessels that meet the criteria will be trained by coordinators of the BP program.

The response to this event is a federal responsibility and is being managed by the Coast Guard and the BP response team.

Jefferson Parish Emergency Management is in contact with the Coast Guard and State Officials and is receiving updates regularly. Jefferson Parish officials are closely monitoring the conditions surrounding the oil spill and are working with the state and federal government to insure that everything possible will be done to protect the coast line and environmentally sensitive areas in the Barataria Basin.