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She was assisting a group of 14 snorkelers and nine divers when “the tide started hitting the jetties” and customers started coming back on the boat with an extra layer of film, which smelled distinctly like oil.

“We had to wash the people off to get the smell off of them,” said Carla Moore, Scuba Tech co-owner.

Scuba Tech owners and employees believe that Wednesday’s trip was their last for some time and they have already noticed a dramatic drop in business.

“I have noticed that I have not received a lot of calls this morning,” Moore said Thursday.

Epp said that the customers, despite being covered in crude oil, were very understanding.

“They were aware of it and were actually nice about it,” said Epp. “They felt bad for us. They understood that it was our last trip.”

On Thursday, Epp and Moore sat in the store, as information continued to roll in about plans for the East Pass.

“I think I can still smell it on me,” said Epp.

The crew was not the only ones to report the sight and smell of oil near the jetties. Jokerman Capt. Andy Stempki reported hitting oil about 150 yards from the mouth of the pass.

“It stinks like diesel,” he said.

The city of Destin even issued a warning Wednesday night stating that “Oil product has been spotted near East Pass. The Coast Guard and other BP resources have been notified and are being deployed ASAP to the area.”