Based upon the Woods Hole Oceanographic image of the underwater river of oil flowing Westerly along the US continental shelf of the Gulf, it appears to be about 100 miles long:

[link to www.whoi.edu]

If so, that means the underground river of oil mix is entering the Houston shipping lane.

Please recall for a seven-day period at the end of August Panama City stopped all boats from entering port on an incoming tide and that all boats were required to wash down before they came into port.

If the Gulf problem has entered the Houston shipping lane, the super-tankers may be too large to wash down and the Coast Guard is attempting to keep from contaminating the port. Ships leaving the port would pass through the contaminated area (if contamination is the problem) and keeping ships in port may be the safe thing to do.

Hey Houston! Look for low-flying planes dumping Corexit out your way over the next two to three days. Let us know if it's happening.