A presidential panel into the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion has recommended that the offshore industry, Congress and the Obama administration take even more steps to enhance offshore safety, and prevent other disasters of the magnitude of the Gulf of Mexico explosion.
Last week, an independent panel presented recommendations to the federal administration. Maritime attorneys have been speculating for a while about the possible nature of the recommendations. Ultimately, when the report was presented to the Obama administration, there were no real surprises.
Broadly, the commission is recommending an increased budget for the federal agency that is now in charge of offshore safety, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. It is also recommending more training for agency inspectors. Besides, the commission also made recommendations that are very dear to maritime lawyers. It called for an increase in the liability cap that offshore companies are exposed to in the event of a disaster. This raising of the liability cap is something that we have supported strongly. When companies who profit to the tune of billions of dollars from offshore drilling activities are involved in an accident, it is only fair that they be held liable for damages that result. For too long, the offshore industry has had it both ways, and that must end now.
Besides, the commission also recommends setting aside approximately 80% of the fines and penalties that will be collected from BP, to environmental restoration in the Gulf of Mexico. The panel is also calling for a greater scientific basis for decisions about where to drill in the Gulf of Mexico. More importance should be given to scientific research while making these decisions.
