July 7, 2010 - Navy Deploys MZ-3A Airship to Gulf for Oil Cleanup Effort

We've been hearing more and more about airships being a greener transportation alternative to regular planes, and now we have a chance to see one in action.

The US Navy has deployed their colossal MZ-3A airship to assist in cleaning up the gushing BP oil spill that GGN has been regularly reporting on and it was expected to have arrived in the Gulf yesterday. The airship will support and aid to coordinate oil skimming efforts and be on the lookout for animals in need of help along the coastline.

The MZ-3A's low operating speed means that it can stay aloft for 12 continuous hours. It can survey large patches of ocean, and the low speed at which it travels allows crews to more easily coordinate skimming, burning, and dispersing efforts below. The airship is also more economical and more efficient than helicopters or planes when used over long periods of time.

Working aboard the ship, relief crews will observe and report on any injured animals they observe and communicate that information to Incident Commands so that they can dispatch teams to the affected areas. While the use of an airship versus helicopters or planes is an idea we at GGN applaud - we are even more happy that BP isn't handling the launching and flying of the vehicle based upon their track record of safety and success - oh the humanity.