Hunt for Survivors Nears End; Rig Not Leaking Oil

Rescuers are prepared to call off the search today for the 11 missing crew members of the sunken oil rig off the Louisiana coast, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Meanwhile, crews working to contain any environmental damage got good news from the Coast Guard this morning: The rig does not appear to be leaking oil from the ocean floor, the AP reports.

Another factor in crews' favor: The rig was in a deep section of the gulf, allowing sea water to dilute the residual oil that did spill during the explosion. "It won't have the same devastating effect as one on the beach," a marine biologist tells the Houston Chronicle. “I'm less worried about toxicity than annoying birds and animals with this slimy stuff.” (More oil spill stories.)