The winds seem to have shifted, so to speak, for Gulf oil crisis response efforts lately. But affected Gulf coast industries continue to tread water – waiting to be rescued.

“It’s not going to be a normal summer,” said Kate Wilkes, executive director of Santa Rosa County Tourism Development. “But we’re not going to give up.”

By the middle of last week, Gulf Coast officials, responders and residents were staring down the barrel of what appeared to be a loaded gun – Tropical Storm Bonnie.

All booming equipment protecting local shorelines was extracted to protect it from being damaged by the approaching storm.

Evacuations ahead of Bonnie also delayed the effort to seal the capped well for about a week, but crews have now returned after the storm dissipated in the Gulf of Mexico with little more than a whimper.

Crews working on the oil well have once again connected through the relief well to existing sub-sea equipment, BP said Tuesday.

Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the U.S. official overseeing the response, now says he expects the first step in permanently sealing the well to begin early next week. The procedure, called a “static kill,” entails pouring heavy mud and cement into the well from above.

That first step would eventually be followed by a second effort to plug the once-gushing well, sealing it permanently from the bottom through a relief well, which could begin as early as Aug. 7-9.

The latest readings showed the well is holding 11 days after valves on the new containment cap were closed. And there don’t appear to be any leaks – conditions that are essential before it can be sealed from the top and bottom through the two methods.

BP also initiated a change in command earlier this week, as American Bob Dudley will replace Tony Hayward as CEO, effective Oct. 1. Dudley said Tuesday that in the aftermath of the disaster, he’s “sure there will be changes” in the oil industry.

Dudley – a Mississippian who is a long-time BP employee with more than 30 years in the oil business – is a chemical engineer by training. He was put in charge of the day-to-day leadership of the Gulf spill cleanup operation in June.

The news regarding local impacts continues to be positive. In the past week, only a small amount of tar balls have washed onto area beaches.

NOAA’s Monday oil plume model showed the oil plume located 120 miles from Pensacola Beach, and all Escambia and Santa Rosa beaches are currently open to sunbathing, swimming and fishing.

The latest water, soil and air quality samples collected in the area have showed little to no harmful components related to the oil spill. For up-to-date health-related information, visit the County Web site: www.santarosa.fl.gov/oilspill (look under “Health” tab).

Amid the recent “changes in wind,” the Gulf coast economy continues to tread water. Tourism has been down, expectedly, for most of the summer, but that may soon change.

“We’ll know a lot more when we get our June numbers,” Wilkes said. “But barring any unforeseen circumstances, such as a storm, we may be able to start recovering soon.”

The state received $25 million from BP for tourism marketing in Florida. After the money ran out, Gov. Charlie Crist in a July 14 letter asked for another $50 million to overcome damage caused by the oil spill, but BP rejected that request. The governor has since asked for reconsideration.

“I really think we’ll get the funds,” Wilkes said. “We absolutely need it.

“. . . Now that (the well) is capped and there is virtually no oil on the beaches, property managers say they are starting to get some calls. Our ads are still running, and I do expect interest to pick up in August and beyond.”

NOAA on July 22, when it reopened 26,388 square miles of Gulf waters to commercial and recreational fishing.

“NOAA is working to protect public safety while minimizing harm to the fishing industry,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

“We are confident that seafood caught in this area is, and will continue to be, free from contamination.”