Cuba preparing for possible arrival of oil spill

[Judi Lynn]

Cuba preparing for possible arrival of oil spill
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 15, 2010; 2:33 PM

HAVANA -- Cuba's civil defense chief said Tuesday that authorities are preparing coastal residents for the oil spill fouling the Gulf of Mexico, and a top military official said its possible arrival would be "a disaster."

It still is unclear whether some of the millions of gallons of spilled crude will reach Cuba, though government scientists appeared on state television within days of the April 20 rig explosion that touched off the spill to say the island was not immediately at risk.

So far there has been no apparent impact on tourism to the island's breathtaking north coast beaches.

"In Cuba we have had small spills involving tankers on our coasts, but we've never had to confront anything of this magnitude," Gen. Ramon Espinosa, vice minister of the armed forces, said at a government meeting on natural disaster preparedness. "Nonetheless we are documenting and studying. We are preparing with everything in our power."

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061503152.html

[flamingdem]

1. I think the most important reefs are in the South but I could be wrong nt

[Judi Lynn]

2. Mika may know. I believe he has said he dives.

Sure hope that's the case and there will be something between that oil and their beautiful diving spots.

[dipsydoodle]

3. You're aware

we can travel freely and do so. Next couple I know due out there are friends getting married first weekend in July who are going for two weeks. Fingers crossed for them.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Hope they beat the oil, or that the oil simply won't make it there.

I've heard Cuba has a big business for honeymooning couples, even has made it a practise for Cuban couples getting married.
They put them up for some period of time in one of Cuba's big hotels when they get their official marriage license.

Also it's a good thing your friends are beating the official hurricane season which can really lay Cuba low periodically!