Flotilla of barges used as oil barricade

By BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press Writer

GRAND ISLE, La. (AP) - Locals in a Louisiana barrier island town are pushing ahead with a novel plan to block crude from a massive oil spill with a flotilla of barges.

Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle calls it "the Cajun navy."

They're using the barges to partially block five passes where water from the Gulf of Mexico flows between barrier islands into Barataria Bay, an ecological treasure trove of shrimp nurseries, oyster beds, pelican rookeries and fertile fishing grounds. Barges were moved into the first of the passes last week.

Oil has already seeped into Barataria Bay, but the goal is to keep the damage from getting worse.

In Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist announced plans to use barges to create a similar blockade of Destin Pass on the Panhandle.