French ecology minister rushes to massive oil spill France's minister for Ecology and Solidarity Transition, François de Rugy, travels to Brest in western France following the sinking of the Italian ship, "Grande America" off the coast of La Rochelle. De Rugy boarded an anti-pollution vessel before meeting maritime officials. The Gironde and Charente-Maritime departments are on alert for the arrival of an oil slick that that should make landfall on Sunday or Monday. IMAGES