Called the Vessels of Opportunity Program, boat captains everywhere can help to remedy the oil spill going on at Deepwater Horizon. Where Florida’s coast is concerned, the oil has not reached the shores yet. But it has already hit the charter boat and commercial fishing industries, including of course the seafood distributors, all over the Gulf coast.
The problem is simple, there is no fishing business for the fishing industry until the oil leak is fixed. And there are not enough BP and government vessels available for the extended use that is anticipated.
BP is offering $2000/day for captains in the program. It helps them with some income and helps to save the coast and Gulf waters from further oil pollution.
Participation requires specialized training. Information about participating is on their website at Deepwater Horizon Response. The list of training sessions all along the Gulf Coast is below.
Vessels of Opportunity Orientation and Training Sessions Schedule
| City | Date | Place | Start Time |
| Houma, LA | Monday,
May 10 |
Houma Civic Center
346 Civic Center Boulevard Houma, Louisiana 70360 |
9:00 AM |
| Houma, LA | Monday,
May 10 |
Houma Municipal Auditorium
880 Verret Street Houma, LA 70360-4636 |
9:00 AM |
| Chauvin, LA | Monday,
May 10 |
5248 Bayouside Dr.
Chauvin, LA 70344 |
2:00 PM |
| Houma, LA | Monday,
May 10 |
Houma Civic Center
346 Civic Center Boulevard Houma, Louisiana 70360 |
2:00 PM |
| Bayou La Batre, AL | Monday,
May 10 |
Church of God Gym
1136 Argyle Road Irvington, AL |
3:00 PM |
| Panama City, FL | Monday, May 10 | Gulf World Marine Park
15412 Front Beach Road Tropical Garden Theatre Panama City Beach, FL 32413 |
5:00 PM |
| Apalachicola, FL | Tuesday, May 11 | 66 Fourth St.
Apalachicola, FL 32320 |
1:00 PM |
| Lafitte, LA | Tuesday, May 11 | Lafitte Civic Center
4953 City Park Dr. 70067 |
1:00 PM |
| New Orleans East, LA
(Vietnamese) |
Tuesday, May 11 | TBD | TBD |
| Grand Isle, LA | Tuesday, May 11 | 3811 Highway One
Grand Isle, LA 70358 |
3:00 PM |
| Pensacola, FL | Tuesday,
May 11 |
Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, 12 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach, Fl 32561 | 5:00 pm |
| Slidell, La | Wednesday, May 12 | TBD | 9:00 AM |
| TBD, Jackson Co., MS | Wednesday, May 12 | TBD | 10:00 AM |
| Bon Secour, AL | Wednesday, May 12 | Friendship Baptist Church Community Hall,
7159 Bon Secour Highway Bon Secour, AL 36511 |
1:00 PM |
| Chauvin, LA
(Vietnamese) |
Wednesday,
May 12 |
5248 Bayouside Dr.
Chauvin, LA 70344 |
1:00 PM |
| Slidell, LA | Wednesday, May 12 | TBD | 2:00 PM |
| TBD, Jackson Co., MS | Wednesday, May 12 | TBD | 3:00 PM |
| Dauphin Island, AL | Thursday, May 13 | TBD | 9 AM |
h/t Chasidy Fisher Hobbs, Emerald Coastkeepers