Deep water Horizion exploded about 10:00 pm last night and the situation is critical. This rig is a large production floater in several thousand feet of water. I always thought they had about 50 people on them. Man was I wrong! at the time of the explosion there were 126 people on it. So far there are no deaths but the injury list is going up as things start to settle down. 2 have been transfered to a special trauma unit in critical condition.

The pictures I have seen show it leaning and it may sink by the end of the day. The water around it is also burning.

This rig had a lot of 35-50 pound yellowfin on it this week. They also hold a lot of other fish and when the rig is moved from one place to another many of them follow. With all the commotion and changes in the water they may get scared away.

This disaster may become another tool for the tree huggers to use against further development. With all the danger and activity in this field the safety factor is always at the top of the list. They have a good record. It is a shame that such a drastic thing had to happen.

I am praying for no deaths and the few missing will be found on a raft somewhere or are already on a boat and have not yet been reported. There was a report of a raft sighting last night by the Coast Guard and they are searching for it at this time. One report is 11 missing and another report is 15 missing. Very confusing at this time.

At this time NO deaths!

Ditto what Todd said. Sounds grim.

This is one of many out here. The loss of only one of this size will have a great impact on everything around here all the way down to the service sector. I hope they can seal off the oil wells quickly. Do not know the exact depth but I believe it is in about 3,500 - 4,000 feet. It is located 52 miles SE of Venice.

Latest info all 11 missing have been found. All 126 accounted for. Prayers have been answered!

Got bad information. Even the news had it wrong in the confusion. 11 still missing.

This oil rig is worth over 100 billion. It was leased by BP. There is still the problem of shutting down the well after the fire is out. There is a possability the fire may be able to be put out and the rig salvaged prior to sinking. It is listing badly.

Once again 11 still missing. Fire still burning. Rig still floating.

Best I can tell you at this time.

Water temp is 70 give or take. The seas are flat calm and will be that way untill Friday. That floater is huge and high 60 feet would be easy for them but unfortunatly it ia a lot higher than that for the closest jump. Early reports are they had a blowout and the it was too big for the system to handle. That is just hear say at this time but sounds reasonable.

Craig

The gulf is huge. We will have a lot of room to fish. It would not look good for our enviromental people if they could not contain the oil within a reasonable area. We have some of the best systems in the world designed just for that reason. I have to say this will be THE BIG TEST for them and their equipment.

See you soon buddy.

Wow, hope they find the men and are able to contain the spillage.