Photographs from the R/V Walton Smith Deepwater Horizon Cruise

The following photographs are from the R/V Walton Smith Deepwater Horizon cruise which took place in the central Gulf of Mexico and Loop Current. The purpose of this cruise was to investigate the presence of oil and evaluate the condition of observed birds, vertebrates, and invertebrates in the water along the cruise track. Neuston net tows were conducted to collect tar balls, larval fish and invertebrates in the water. Satellite-tracked drifting buoys were deployed to monitor surface water movement.

Oil was found and confirmed to be from the Deepwater Horizon site:

Row of oil Row of oil Row of oil Blob of oil Blob of oil

Neuston net tows:

Neuston net tow Neuston net tow Neuston net tow Neuston net tow

Crab and crab Larvae:

Crab caught in net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow

Puffer fish and small fish:

Puffer fish caught in net tow Small fish caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow

Deployment of a satellite-tracked drifting buoy:

Puffer fish caught in net tow Small fish caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow Crab larvae caught Neuston net tow
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Research