The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration advised the CoastGuard where the ship's sinking would have the least environmental impact.
Meanwhile at a public meeting Saturday in Key West, representatives from the CoastGuard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and BP offered a similar message: There is no imminent threat to the Florida Keys, although fears remained that the slick would eventually hit the state.
Among the agencies represented were the FBI, Secret Service, Federal Aviation Administration, Customs Service, CoastGuard, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The CoastGuard is closing down parts of the Potomac River to commercial and recreational traffic, and the Federal Aviation Administration is placing additional restrictions on flights in the area.