Benjamin Franklin noted this back in the 18th century. He devised a parlor trick where he dipped his cane (that contained an amount of oil in it) into turbulent water and calmed it.
Greenpeace be damned! If it was good enough for Franklin, it's good enough for us. I think we should try it; i.e., create a huge oil slick, of Exxon Valdez proportions, in the path of the next hurricane, and see what happens.