‘Troubleshooter' helps Vessels of Opportunity get paid (PHOTOS)

When it comes to helping those in need, Joan McCoy said her goal was to help boat captains who have had invoice troubles get paid.

“We were not here to talk about getting hired, or not hired, but to help,” said McCoy, a BP contracted community outreach specialist. “I am basically a troubleshooter.”

McCoy, along with multiple representatives from BP and marine contractors Danos & Curole spent Tuesday and Wednesday at City Hall holding a Vessels of Opportunity Invoicing Assistance workshop to assist those who needed help with what can be “a confusing” process.

The two day workshop, which has also been held in Mississippi and Alabama, was designed to be “one stop shopping.” Although no payments were issued on site, McCoy told The Log they would review the VOO operators’ paperwork and help them process their invoices, and after the invoices were approved by BP, a check would be issued to their bank account.

While the turnout was less than what she had expected in Destin, McCoy said over the three-state area, they have resolved more than 300 invoice issues. Only about a half dozen captains had signed in for assistance by mid-morning of the second and final day of  the workshop.

“We are committed to doing these types of things, and we have been pleased with the results that we have seen,” she said.

McCoy said she really liked the idea of coming to Destin and meeting with people on a face-to-face basis. She said she is “thankful” for the opportunity to find out what people really need.

“Some of the people that have come in haven’t even had VOO issues,” she added. “They just wanted to come in and talk.”

Mayor Sam Seevers, who had just finished attending a meeting of the state oil spill task force, told The Log Wednesday “it’s extremely important” to have a BP presence in Destin, and that anything that can be done to help people navigate through this process is key.