By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-905631.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says underwater robots have managed to get through the first phase of the latest engineering system.
"For the first time in a couple of days I have some good news. We have just cut the pipe off the lower marine package."
But the cut isn't clean. The diamond saw got stuck and had to be yanked out of the wobbly pipe. Allen says sheers managed to finish that job. He says the jagged edge could mean more oil spews out of the sides of the funnel top. He's not sure how much more.
If the containment plan works, the oil will be forced up a mile-long pipeline to a vessel on the surface. It could be apparent by tomorrow if it works.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.