Oily ship used in Gulf spill work enters Mobile Bay, sparks anger that it wasn’t cleaned

Oily ship enters Mobile Bay, sparks anger

MOBILE, Ala. — A ship that worked offshore in the Gulf oil spill entered Mobile Bay with dark gunk on its hull, angering residents who believe any vessels should be cleaned before coming inland.

The Alabama State Port Authority said the 454-foot was in the final stages of cleaning Thursday. A port spokeswoman says the vessel had an initial scrubbing at sea before entering the bay.

The nonprofit Mobile Baykeeper group says it was inundated with calls after residents saw the pipe-laying ship, the Boa Sub C Valletta, inside the bay.

The head of Mobile Baykeeper, Casi Callaway, says the work violated pledges that ships smeared with oil wouldn’t be allowed into the bay, a claim the port authority denies.