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Countermeasures/ Mitigation

In-situ burning was attempted on two occasions.   The material used was composed
of fine grained, fumed silica particles treated with silane to render the
material hydrophobic.  Originally marketed as CAB-O-SIL ST-2-0, the product was
later marketed under the trade name Tullanox 500.

In the first burning attempt, conducted on December 27, a USCG helicopter
dropped isolated boxes of Tullanox 500 charged with JP-4 jet fuel onto the oil
and ignited  the boxes using a timed grenade.  The isolated boxes burned, but
the flame failed to spread.  It was believed that the wicking agent was not
sufficiently dispersed to allow spreading of the flames.

The second attempt was conducted on December 31.  The USCG vessel Spar, aided by
aircraft, located a 90 foot by 120 foot elliptically shaped slick that was of a
heavy, tarry consistency, and 6 to 8 feet thick.  The slick broke into smaller
pancakes as the Spar maneuvered alongside.  Sixty-six pounds of Tullanox 500, in
11 pound bags, were thrown near the center of a 30 foot by 60 foot slick.  The
bags were torn open and much of the material was blown off of the slick. 
Another application of six bags was applied along the edge of the slick and
charged with JP-4.  The experiment was terminated after attempts to ignite the
slick failed to sustain a burn.