Proposed Bill Would Require Nearby Rescue Boats
Congress is set to consider a bill that would require safety vessels to be available within three nautical miles of active offshore oil rigs. Learn more about the bill and its potential effect on the oil industry.

December 24, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In what is arguably the most significant safety measure stemming from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Congress is set to consider a bill that would require safety vessels to be available within three nautical miles of active offshore oil rigs, and no more than 12 nautical miles away from all active offshore facilities. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jeff Landry of Louisiana, who ironically has been one of the most vocal critics of post-spill regulations imposed by the Obama administration.

The bill was borne out of circumstances stemming from the tragic 2010 incident. A supply boat happened to be nearby after the explosion occurred, and was able to rescue 115 workers from Gulf waters. Rescue helicopters were at least an hour away, and were not able to respond so quickly. If the supply boat had not been available, many more workers would have perished. As such, the bill is intended to decrease the response time to offshore rig accidents, and further protect workers so they are not at the mercy of the sea in the event they have to abandon their rig. In supporting the bill, Rep. Landry explained that it "will enhance the safety of our hard-working men and women working off our shores to extract the energy our nation needs."

However, the proposal pits two of Louisiana's most influential industries (and political contributors), against each other. In one corner stands the oil and gas industry, which opposes the new requirements as being too intrusive and expensive. In the other, maritime companies, which stand to gain new business as stand by vessels. The measure has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now being considered by the Senate.

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