Local Captain Part of Crew Investigating BP Oil Spill Clean-Up

Lou Muno, resident of Rolling Meadows, a Licensed Captain (USCG) 1600 Ton Oceans and 2nd Mate Unlimited, joined the crew of the University of Miami's RV Walton Smith on March 26 where he will serve as 2nd mate for the next several months during the vessel's research trip to follow-up on the 2010 BP oil spill area in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the University of Miami "RV Walton Smith supports efforts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency in assessing the situation at and near the wellhead of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform. The ship will be used to support the scientists assessing the extent and chemical composition of subsurface blooms reported by scientists aboard another UNOLS (University National Laboratory System) vessel contracted to NOAA"

RV Walton Smith, 100' long with a 40' beam and a 7' draft, has a crew of seven comprised of captain, chief mate, 2nd mate, engineer, marine technicians and cook. The vessel which left port in Key Biscayne FL on March 29 will carry up to 20 scientists who will come aboard with their equipment in Gulfport MS. The vessel's expected date of arrival at the BP oil spill area to begin research is April 4.