A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives sponsored by Louisiana Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, would mandate that rescue vessels be stationed within three nautical miles of offshore drilling rigs.
The measure is an attempt to solve safety problems facing the offshore oil and gas industry, according to Rep. Landry. Safety concerns have increased since the April 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico.
A supply boat that was nearby at the time of the explosion helped rescue more than 100 workers; if the boat had not been so close, many more might have died on the rig in the blast.
The offshore oil and gas drilling industry is critical of the proposal, saying it will increase operating costs. Industry officials also say the measure is unnecessary because the U.S. Coast Guard already as the ability to launch rescue operations in the event of a tragedy, including helicopter search and rescue teams combing the water within a few hours of an incident.
The bill would require rescue boats to be stationed no more than 3 nautical miles away from offshore oil and gas drilling rigs while the rig is engaging in any critical activities, such as drilling, abandonment, etc. For less critical operations, the vessel can be within 12 nautical miles.
The maritime attorneys at Maintenance and Cure represent workers injured in offshore oil rig accidents.
