Offshore Oil

When local beach goers and sailors gaze at the waters along our coast, they see waves, seabirds, surfers, kite boarders, boats and oil rigs like this one. There are 27 along the coast between Huntington Beach and Santa Barbara.

Some call them eyesores but recently, marine biology researchers have discovered amazing marine ecosystems thriving around the underwater legs of these formidable structures. We like to circle them when we're out sailing to see if any of the crew members on the rig will wave back as we pass by.

[Maggiemae]

Imagine living in this contraption for weeks at a time! They must love waving at yachts!

[Elizabeth]

@maggiemae The workers on these oil rigs just work their daily shifts, then take a boat back to shore . They don't actually live here full time.

[Osia Strasner]

Thanks for the closeup of these structures! I have only ever seen them from a distance, and they look so imposing!

[Peter Grave]

How close are you allowed to them Elizabeth.? Lovely shot

[Rick Schies]

That is quite the operation

[Lynda]

Great to about the marine ecosystems. Great to see the detail of something you only see from a distance.

[Danny G.]

A great shot. Our addiction to oil knows no limits.

[Taffy]

It's really a huge structure -- cities unto themselves. I didn't realize how many were out there.

[Elizabeth]

@peterlgrave if you look closely at the water line at the center of the rig, there's a man in a little red boat. Not sure if he's part of their crew or just
a recreational boater. Generally, boats are supposed to stay a couple hundred yards away but sometimes we sail in a tad closer.

[Richard Hickey]

Awesome picture and perspective.

[Ron]

Great shot, Elizabeth! I had the occasion to spend a little time on a few of these. They are not exactly luxurious places, but they are interesting!

[Graham Thresher]

Great shot.