At Pensacola Beach, Crist defends state's efforts

PENSACOLA — Gov. Charlie Crist, accompanied by pop singer Jimmy Buffett, reassured tourists and the media Saturday that Florida officials are doing everything they can right now to deal with tar balls washing up on Pensacola Beach.

Crist, however, conceded that even more could be done as rust-colored tar continued to land on some Panhandle beaches.

U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen had promised to send 20 more boats to Florida waters to skim oil before it reaches land, Crist said.

"I'd like 50. I'd like 100," the governor said.

Appearing Saturday morning at Pensacola Beach with Buffett, Crist said keeping more oil off the shoreline is "the utopian objective." He said he'll continue to press for more oil-containment booms.

"We're going to ask, and ask, and ask," Crist said.

Buffett, whose Margaritaville hotel is due to open June 24 in Pensacola Beach, planned to accompany Crist on a helicopter flight over the beach to view the oil.

Buffett said he hoped people would still visit the beach. He suggested that visitors could "come down and help clean up the beach rather than just lie around and soak up the sun."