Bay area mariners asked to help combat spill in Panhandle waters

Florida emergency officials are calling for local mariners to help strengthen the oil spill response in Florida Panhandle waters, Merchant Marine Captains Association officials say.

Florida's Emergency Operations Center say skimmer vessels, merchant marine master captains, charter captains willing to work as crew and engineers with offshore experience are all needed right now.

All available, licensed or experienced personnel should respond as soon as possible, according to the Merchant Marine Captains Association.

For more information, contact Capt. Marti Heath, the Fleet 1 Commander with the Tampa Bay merchant marine branch, at (727) 623-6324. You can also reach her at her office at (727) 953-6499 during normal business hours.

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