Tank ship Krymsk response, HOUSTON, TEXAS

HOUSTON - In this photo released by the tank ship Krymsk response unified command, a sheen is visible 40 miles off of Galveston Oct. 21, 2009, after an estimated 18,000 gallons of fuel oil were spilled from the Krymsk Oct. 20, 2009. The unified command decided to deploy dispersant after determining that on-water oil recovery methods would not work due to weather conditions. Dispersants are products that are applied to the water surface in order to break up surface oil slicks, a process called dispersion, and facilitate the movement of oil particles into the water column. U.S. Coast Guard photo.