Foreign Flagging of Offshore Rigs Skirts U.S. Safety Rules [Inspections Outsourced]

LATimes ^ | June 14, 2010 | 7:28 p.m. | By Tom Hamburger and Kim Geiger

[fight_truth_decay]

The Marshall Islands, not the U.S., had the main responsibility for safety inspections on the Deepwater Horizon.

The Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico was built in South Korea. It was operated by a Swiss company under contract to a British oil firm. Primary responsibility for safety and other inspections rested not with the U.S. government but with the Republic of the Marshall Islands — a tiny, impoverished nation in the Pacific Ocean.

[fight_truth_decay]

Excerpt: "The federal Minerals Management Service, which also has a role in overseeing offshore oil operations, deals only with issues "below the waterline" of the floating rig. It was not responsible for rig staffing, command structure or other above-water operations."

"John Konrad, a licensed captain who publishes a maritime blog and is consulting with survivors, said oil rigs should be under the command of licensed sea captains."

"On the Deepwater Horizon you had the guy who does the drilling plans able to make the call on safety," Konrad said."

Some in Congress are expressed concern about the Marshall Islands and other countries that outsource their inspection responsibilities to private companies.

[I was surprised this was not posted and did several searches, so if a repeat, I do apolgize]

[Red_Devil 232]

Some citizens have expressed concern about the Congress and States that outsource their inspection of eligiblity documents and responsibilities when certifying candidates for POTUS to the candidate.

[clee1]

Huh?

Just how is this possible? Our waters, and everybody else in the world makes a profit while we get soiled coasts, and there is NO effective oversight?

Is our goobermint TRULY that effed up?

[sarasota]

Bingo!

[thulldud]

Is our goobermint TRULY that effed up?

How shall I say it?

YES!

[jiminycricket000]

"Primary responsibility for safety and other inspections rested not with the U.S. government but with the Republic of the Marshall Islands — a tiny, impoverished nation in the Pacific Ocean."

Now Obama's blaming the Marshall Islands? LOL, this empty suit in the White House is the most irresponsible President in American history. The EPA and Homeland Security are supposed to be keeping us safe from disasters like this, not the Marshall Islands. No matter whom the U.S. government allowed to oversee this disastrous operation, the repsonsibility still remains that of the U.S. government. Sorry Mr. Obama, this oil spill will stick to you like a tar baby.

[GladesGuru]

Places like the Marshall Islands, Panama, etc are known in the industry as flags of convenience.

American regulations, unions, and lawyers have driven our shipping and marine activities offshore.

Blame the unions, like SEIU for this problem.

Actions have consequences.

Electing commies to Congress for decades is an action

Now, we are suffering the consequences.

Make sure the Commies are out of office in November, OR lose the Republic and everything you own, and your Rights.

[Crim]

Full throttle CYA mode to cover for the waiver and safety award....

[fight_truth_decay]

http://gcaptain.com/

The Site For Maritime Professionals.

[TexasRepublic]

“Is our goobermint TRULY that effed up?”

Yes, and I think we are seeing much worse than mere incompetence - we are witnessing deliberate sabotage of our country by Marxist enemies within the government. Why else would Obama put a moratorium on drilling in the Gulf? That action will cost jobs and increase our dependence on foreign oil.

[fight_truth_decay]

Real Time Mapping of BP Oil Spill Response Vessels

[Oldexpat]

The inspections required by those who insure the rig and the liability insurance are far more effective than anything that would be put together by govt. Too many Freepers don’t seem to believe that market forces and private enterprise does work. You have DNV, Lloyds, etc doing inspections of these rigs and setting the standards for construction. There are already books and books of those standards.
I was a supplier to this industry for years and if you want a system that can be effected by politics and corruption..go with the govt. If you want one based on science and reason..go with the private insurers and their inspectors.

[fight_truth_decay]

I don't this this was a very positive [for them] "we're just as good" response from the Marshall Islands deputy maritime minister, Thomas Heinan: "manning requirements aboard the Deepwater Horizon were "equal to those of the U.S. and in accordance with international standards."

[fight_truth_decay]

Lloyds of London is refusing to payout?

[The Comedian]

Is our goobermint TRULY that effed up?

I'll take "Answers That Are Obviously 'YES'" for $500, Alex.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Logical me]

Is this true?

[fight_truth_decay]

science is also corrupt..when it comes to money and politics

One crew member took charge, who used "reason" over science (?); but it was then too late..

[Dayman]

If it’s a foreign owned rig operating in international waters then where would the authority for mandatory US inspections come from?

[fight_truth_decay]

Claims to be the truth. But what is really the truth, as it sometimes becomes decayed ;).

[Louis Foxwell]

Why else would Obama put a moratorium on drilling in the Gulf? That action will cost jobs and increase our dependence on foreign oil.

Obama's clear personal obedience to the Arab Emerites will now increase their profit in American dollars tenfold.