Myrtle Grove, La. ? The Coast Guard admiral in charge of the federal oil spill response toured areas of the Gulf Coast a day after a local official called for his ouster.

Adm. Thad Allen was in Louisiana to assess oil cleanup Thursday. It came the same day state and local officials blasted the federal government for temporarily shutting down 16 barges used to suck up the crude.

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser said Wednesday that Allen is not the right man to oversee the federal response. He wasn’t at the news conference. Allen did not address the remarks.

Allen says the barges were shut down for safety and downplayed concerns that the response efforts are disorganized and chaotic.