MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Almost two months after an oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, shortages of government-required protective gear and cleaning equipment are slowing work to remove the oil and keep beaches along the coast safe.
BP says it’s doing all it can to keep supplies stocked. But with demand so high for everything from plastic gloves, to oil-blocking booms and sand-sifting machines — finding enough items to outfit workers and protect the coast has become an unending task.
Coast Guard Lt. Erik Halvorson, a spokesman for the unified area command overseeing the spill response, says shortages haven’t caused any major slowdowns in the cleanup. He says large orders have been placed in advance when needs are anticipated.
