San Francisco fuel spill

[Alex]

According to the pilot (remember, when in the bay the boat is driven by a local (theoretically) expert) they barely felt anything on the boat.

The local NPR news did an amusing story on the volunteer clean up effort. They were explicit about it but I'm pretty sure they were trying to convey just how stupid the volunteering hoops are. Before they could do cleanup on Ocean Beach, the volunteers first had to sit through a 4 hours training session. Then they were given white hazmat suits, masks, and double gloves.

Then they went down to the beach to clean up where they were surrounded by tourists and surfers playing in the water. All of this hassle because touching the oil might cause mild skin irritation.

This is a big mistake and a problem, but personally I think the local media is way overreacting. I'm sorry but reports of a dozen dead shore birds really doesn't cause the tears to well up.