Gulf Coast Oil Spill Could Be Worst in U.S. History
On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary E. Landry said that the oil spill that followed the Transocean Deepwater Horizon explosion could “be one of the most significant spills in U.S. history."
The U.S. Coast Guard will consider burning oil on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico to reduce the volume. “It’s a tool in the tool kit and I want to have it as an option,” said Landry, the government coordinator of the spill response. “We fully understand that there can be benefits and tradeoffs to this.”
Following pressure from workers and their families, the Obama administration also announced Tuesday it was launching a full joint investigation into the cause of the explosion, which critically injured three workers and has left 11 missing. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar say they will devote every available resource to a comprehensive investigation of the explosion.
"Once again we see catastrophic injuries in one of the nation's most dangerous industries," said Kurt Arnold, a Houston maritime injury lawyer. "Greater safety measures need to be taken to prevent future accidents like this."
Jason Itkin, another Houston maritime injury lawyer, called for the creation of an offshore worker safety task force.
"Our firm is a member of the National Mariner's Association, and we have a deep interest in increasing and promoting the safety of offshore workers," Itkin said. "Accidents like this show additional safety measures are needed now."
For More Information:
http://www.facebook.com/arnolditkin
http://www.Twitter.com/MaritimeInjury
http://www.jones-act-maritime-lawyer.com
