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Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12

Wind, waves from hurricane dock oil skimming boats

MARY FOSTER AND TOM BREEN

Associated Press Writers

GRAND ISLE, La. – Dozens of small skiffs, huge shrimp boats and even a swamp tour boat were tied to docks, winds whipping their flags and waves rocking them even in the sheltered marina.

Most days, the fleet would be skimming oil from the Gulf of Mexico and ferrying workers and supplies. But Hurricane Alex churning in the Gulf turned many people fighting the massive 11-week-old spill into spectators on Tuesday. And they will be for days.

“Yesterday we had redcaps instead of white caps,” said Jesse Alling, a marine science technician with the Coast Guard.