Two workers on an offshore platform about 50 miles off Grand Isle in the Gulf of Mexico were rescued by Coast Guard vessels, after a fire broke out on the platform.
The Coast Guard was notified about the fire by workers on the Grand Isle Block 115 Platform that the GI 102 A production platform was on fire. The Coast Guard pushed multiple aircraft and vessels to rescue and firefighting efforts. The fire was put out later. According to the owner of the platform, Arena, the platform had been shut in about two weeks ago, and at the time of the fire, was not producing anything. The Bureau of Oceans and Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement has begun an investigation into the incident.
There is no information about whether the two workers on the platform suffered serious injuries in the fire. However, they were taken to the West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, Louisiana for an evaluation. The Coast Guard has established a 1000-yard security zone around the platform. Coast Guard aircraft have not noticed any signs of pollution.
Determining whether an offshore platform worker is eligible for compensation after he is injured in an accident, often comes down to questions of his status under the Jones Act. A Jones Act seaman must be injured on a vessel that qualifies as a Jones Act vessel to qualify for compensation. When it comes to workers on offshore platforms, determining status can quickly get tricky. A vessel must be in navigation for it to be considered a Jones Act vessel. Confirming vessel status requires the expertise of an experienced maritime attorney.
