Posted By Arnold & Itkin LLP
One of the most dangerous aspects of offshore work isn't visible to the people at risk from exposure to it. Benzene is a colorless gas that's a yellow liquid at room temperature. One of the simplest ways to determine the presence of benzene is through its smell, often a sweet odor, but by the point benzene is detectable by odor, that usually means hazardous levels of the gas are present. Benzene ...
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Posted By Arnold & Itkin LLP
The sight of offshore workers wearing hard hats has become ubiquitous over the years. These important pieces of safety equipment protect the most crucial part of a worker's body from a range of unexpected accidents, and their significance is rooted in a rich history, reflecting the evolution of worker safety across different industries. Today, hard hats are being used in new ways to enhance safety ...
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Posted By Arnold & Itkin LLP
Working in the maritime industry has never been completely safe. For hundreds of years, men and women have braved the ocean to bring back the bounty and trade that it offers. Today, the offshore industry has evolved beyond what the earliest sailors could have ever imagined. Oil rigs dig deep into the seafloor, ships weather harsh waters, and vessels carry more cargo than ever before. Along with ...
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In the high-stakes, high-pressure world of offshore work, the hands are an indispensable asset. From managing equipment to ensuring the smooth operation of complex machinery, workers’ hands are constantly in use. Unfortunately, this makes them vulnerable to various injuries. According to statistics from the International Association of Drilling Contractors, hand and finger injuries accounted for ...
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In the maritime industry, extreme weather is an ever-present danger. Offshore oil and gas workers are particularly vulnerable to the hostile forces of nature. The unforgiving seas during a storm can result in not only material losses but also personal injuries or even fatalities. It is in such times that maritime law becomes a lifeline for those who work at sea. This article will explore the ...
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The offshore oil and gas industry has always been one of innovation and technological advancement. One of the game-changing innovations in recent years is the widespread use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). These underwater robots have revolutionized how offshore operations are performed, significantly impacting safety and efficiency. But, will they replace human divers? Let's dive deep into ...
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently unveiled its predictions for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. As the offshore industry closely monitors these forecasts, understanding the potential impacts of the season on offshore operations and workers is crucial. Here's a closer look at NOAA’s predictions. Predictions for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season The Climate ...
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2022 was expected to be an above-average season for Atlantic hurricanes, and though the number of named storms and hurricanes was on the low end of the NOAA’s predictions, those that did strike caused significant damage. Hurricane Fiona, the first major hurricane of the season, caused at least 31 deaths in the Caribbean and Canada as well as more than $875 million in damage. Hurricane Ian, a ...
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Posted By Arnold & Itkin LLP
There's no denying the importance of maritime workers in the global economy. Ships and other vessels transport over 90% of the world's goods, providing jobs for maritime workers in the U.S. and abroad. Of these industries, offshore oil exploration and extraction is among the most important. Teams work around the clock in shifts to make sure the demands for American oil are met. Shift work is ...
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2022 has been a year of firsts for autonomous cargo ships. In February, the Yara Birkeland, a fully electric and autonomous cargo ship, successfully completed its maiden voyage in Norway. In May, an autonomous freighter named the Suzaku traveled 491 miles around Tokyo Bay without human intervention, performing more than 100 collision avoidance maneuvers. In June, the Prism Courage became the first ...
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Offshore platforms play a critical role in meeting global oil demands. Most of these platforms are located in the Gulf of Mexico, followed by the Persian Gulf. There are different types of platforms for varying purposes, including jack-up rigs, fixed platforms, semi-submersibles, and more. Some are meant for shallow waters closer to shore while others can operate in extremely deep waters in the ...
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The Biden Administration has proposed leasing more than 500,000 acres in the Gulf of Mexico to build an offshore wind farm about 24 miles off the coast of Galveston, Texas. Once completed, the project would span an area greater than the size of Houston and produce enough electricity to power 2.3 million homes. This focus on offshore wind aligns with President Biden’s 2021 commitment to ...
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More than 55,000 offshore oil wells are scattered among 2,287 active oil and gas leases across the ocean floor of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which includes 10.9 million acres between state waters to 200 nautical miles from U.S. shores. An astonishing 58% of these wells are orphaned or abandoned. With more than 32,000 abandoned wells littering the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic, Atlantic, ...
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A fall overboard is one of the most serious types of offshore accidents. It places the crew member at immediate risk of drowning or hypothermia, depending on sea conditions. Because of the significant risks posed by man overboard incidents, maritime employers are required to have measures in place to handle these emergencies. They must also take steps to prevent falls in the first place, sound ...
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Working at sea, even when close to shore, can present serious risks. One ever-present hazard is the water itself. If a crewmember falls overboard or a vessel capsizes or sinks, survival will depend on more than one’s ability to swim or tread water. Even an experienced swimmer can quickly lose muscle control in cool water, affecting their ability to stay afloat or pull themselves back on board. ...
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On December 8, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on the Federal Government “to lead by example in order to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050.” One of the key parts of this will be harnessing the power of offshore wind. Biden’s plan calls for the United States to generate 30 gigawatts of ...
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Working offshore has its risks, and one of the most common is presented by the equipment that must be used to lift and transfer cargo and personnel. Derricks, cranes, and other deck lifting equipment can pose serious hazards if it is improperly operated, poorly maintained, or defective in any way. In this blog, we will talk about these maritime accidents and what can be done to prevent them. ...
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Deck winches serve various purposes on a maritime vessel. They can be used for anchoring, towing, mooring, pulling, and lifting or lowering heavy objects like nets. Installed on the deck of a ship, an electric or hydraulic winch can do a considerable amount of work in a short amount of time. Winches must be properly operated and maintained, however, or serious accidents can occur. Seamen and rig ...
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Posted By Arnold & Itkin LLP
One of the cornerstones of maritime law involves determining the seaworthiness of a vessel. Seaworthiness describes a vessel’s condition and whether it is in the proper condition to safely operate on open water. When a vessel is unseaworthy, it can place the safety of everyone on board at risk and can cause serious injuries or death. Maritime employers are required to maintain seaworthy vessels. ...
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After the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank in April 2010, killing 11 workers and spilling 4 million barrels of oil into the ocean, the entire world saw the terrible consequences of the offshore oil and gas industry’s questionable safety culture. That December, the United States filed a complaint in District Court against BP and other defendants for their role in the explosion and resulting ...
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Maritime workers have dangerous jobs. They work on vessels in the open sea, where access to emergency assistance is not always fast or guaranteed. One of the most prominent dangers they face, ironically, involves drilling for emergencies. Lifeboat drills in particular are notoriously hazardous for the workers who perform them. Crew members have been catastrophically injured and lost their lives ...
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When the United States shut down in March of 2020, no one really knew how long closures would last or what impact they would have. Workers in every industry were affected, but offshore crews faced unique challenges due to the nature of their jobs and their work environments—where social distancing was nearly impossible. Oil and gas companies were forced to delay turnarounds and postpone new ...
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Mooring operations are some of the most important jobs offshore crew members perform. They are also one of the most difficult and dangerous. If proper safety protocols are not followed, workers are at risk of suffering severe injuries that can even be fatal. What Is a Mooring Operation? A mooring operation describes the task of attaching a vessel to a stationary object. Mooring operations can ...
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Posted By Arnold & Itkin LLP
Falling overboard is the second most common cause of death for fishermen. Between 2000 and 2014, 210 fishermen died after falling overboard. None of them were wearing lifejackets or any type of personal flotation device (PFD). Despite this fact, there are no requirements or regulations for fishermen to wear PFDs while working—making deadly accidents more likely in an industry that already has a ...
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Posted By Arnold & Itkin LLP
Roustabouts are maintenance workers who focus on making sure oil and gas rigs are running safely and as expected. They are essentially the “boots on the ground,” responsible for making sure oil wells are operating efficiently and constantly. As a result, a roustabout’s duties are often flexible and varied, ranging from sweeping the floors of the rig to handling dangerous chemicals. Some common ...
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