BP (NYSE:BP) Could Leave Thousands of Anchors in Gulf of Mexico

An unknown number of anchors, numbering in the thousands, are scattered around the Gulf of Mexico, left over after they were removed from the boom in the region by BP (NYSE:BP).

Fishermen have complained that they've suffered damage to their nets from the anchors, as well as ropes cut off from the boom have also caused propellers to get tangled in them.

BP has hired contractors and experts to figure out how to find all the anchors and whether or not it'll be better to just leave them on the bottom of the Gulf.

BP spokeswoman Hejdi Feick said, "We used Danforth anchors, which either embed in the sediment or lie flat on the sediment and do not protrude above the sediment."

Some officials in the area say BP is attempting to use their pilot program in looking for and ascertaining the anchor situation as an excuse to leave them in the water.

BP will place more anchors in the shallow waters off the coast in order to figure out how to best use imaging to find the anchors.