BP has covered the Gulf with two million gallons of Corexit containing butoxyethanol, which is a carcinogen that is useful as a solvent for resins, lacquers, varnishes, and enamels. In other words, it can dissolve plastics.
nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0275.pdf

OP reported buoys popping went dropped to the water. We think those were plastic buoys.

Remembering the flocking OP reported on the French submarine and curious whether a plastic exterior coating on the sub might attract Corexit's solvent properties, the following is information a quick check shows about submarine exterior coating.

Submarines are coated with biologically active antifouling coating systems containing ablative cuprous oxide.
[link to www.nstcenter.com]

"The most successful principle in use today for the protection of ship's hulls against this unwanted growth is the release of bioactive materials from antifouling coatings.

Antifouling coatings containing a mixture of cuprous oxide and triorganotin compounds in combination with sophisticated release mechanisms are considered to be today's most efficient systems. ...... During the last decade, however, environmental aspects have become a top priority in the development of new biocides for antifouling coatings."
[link to www.sciencedirect.com]

Something on the underwater equipment being shown to us on BP cam screens is attracting bugs, or a type of flocking to that equipment.

We've never been told what is the "cargo" and are left to wonder whether the sub-flocking is due to the cargo.

Some of you reading know a little about submarines. Please give us your thoughts on whether the bioactive protective coating could attract another biological microbes to the exterior of submarines or underwater equipment. The Russian calibrator being discussed in this thread may simply be emitting charges through the sub hull which causes the microbes to be deflected.