By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-900506.mp3
New Orleans, La. – BP executive Doug Suttles says the 100-ton concrete and steel device should work, but it's all new technology.
"It will probably have its start-up troubles. It will have to learn how to make it operate, and we'll do that over the next week or so as we begin to deploy and run the system. But I will tell you we're optimistic. We very much want the thing to work."
If the thing doesn't work, the relief well being drilled is the other main attack on the leak. That could take three months. If it does work, oil will be pumped up to a containment ship on the surface. Meantime, the rusty-colored oil slick topping the underwater plume of crude is streaming onto the Louisiana coast.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.