Hopeful scientists extend trial for oil cap

NEW ORLEANS - A trial run of a cap that was blocking oil from streaming into the Gulf of Mexico was extended yesterday after the Government's spokesman on the cleanup said BP will continue to monitor the cap for another 24 hours.

The clock expired on BP's 48-hour observation period and the Government added another day of critical monitoring.

Scientists and engineers were optimistic that the well showed no obvious signs of leaks, but were still studying data emerging from the bottom of the sea.

Retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen decided after testing was complete the well would be hooked up again to ships on the surface to contain the oil.

That probably means releasing crude back into the water temporarily to relieve pressure. It would still not be gushing at the rate it had been before BP's latest fix.

A giant oil skimmer brought in from Portugal is too big to be used in the Gulf clean-up effort.

The Taiwanese vessel A Whale was deployed along the oil-slicked Gulf Coast. But it's been determined the skimmer didn't collect enough oil.

The Coast Guard says it was too big to manoeuvre around the smaller patches and ribbons of oil on the water. Smaller, more agile vessels have been more useful in getting at the oil.

Yesterday there were signs people were trying to get life - or at least a small part of it - back to normal.

In coastal Alabama, lounge chairs for rent outside hotels were full and swimmers bobbed in emerald green water virtually oil-free, save for a few small tar balls.

People also were fishing again, off piers and in boats, after most of the recreational waters in Louisiana were reopened last week. More than a third of federal waters are still closed and off-limits to commercial fishermen.

- AP