The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration advised the Coast Guard where the ship's sinking would have the least environmental impact.

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Meanwhile at a public meeting Saturday in Key West, representatives from the Coast Guard, 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.

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Among the agencies represented were the FBI, Secret Service, Federal Aviation Administration, Customs Service, Coast Guard, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

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