Yes, could you please ask him the following questions...
Are there areas in the Gulf where the water is BOILING like acid?
Are there areas in the Gulf where ships are forbidden to sail and if so why?
Is there an odour to the water?
Are there dead and dying creatures in the water in numbers that would be considered unusual?
Are there species of fish and mammal close to the surface that are not usually seen in the shallow depths?
Are there reports of spontaneous combustion around engines etc in the area?
Are any of his crew mates or are any of their family members suffering from unusual illnesses?
Are there any families that he knows about who have relocated because of the conditions on the Gulf.
Are the poeple on the Gulf generally scared or are they complacent about the situation?
Is he seeing oil?
Is he seeing seabirds in their normally expected numbers.
Has anyone that he knows died unexpectedly?
Thats about it and I hope you havn't talked to him yet!