Short-term Oil spill Work for Mariners. Longer Term, Future Remains Cloudy

The following is a guest blog post by the Texas Maritime Lawyers of Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. Our maritime law firm has represented injured seamen for over 45 years.

The Deepwater Horizon disaster and massive oil-spill response in the Gulf of Mexico have created an abnormally high demand for professional mariners and deckhands, as BP hires hundreds of vessels and round-the-clock crews.

Offshore workers are hard at work on skimmers, tugboats and offshore vessels. The spill-response work is expected to last for most of 2010, as cleanup will still be needed long after relief wells finally stop the oil flow from the leaking riser. The vessels and mariners involved in the recovery aren't only from the Gulf Coast. Spill-response and research vessels from as far away as Maine and from overseas have joined the BP-funded fleet.

Most oil spill response vessels are involved in skimming. But, the overall Gulf oil spill response has created demand for a variety of maritime-related services. Relief crews are needed so that the spill-response can be staffed around the clock. Lots of offshore supply vessels are being used to transport personnel and equipment to the Deepwater Horizon site.

While steady work exists right now, vessel operators and crewmembers are worried that the BP spill will harm their long-term economic future.

Uncertainty over the Obama administration's attempt to halt deepwater drilling, a congressional assault on the Jones Act and the potential for stricter environmental laws could threaten maritime jobs.

Citing a lack of safety, the Obama administration ordered a moratorium on deepwater drilling off the U.S. coast. In June, a New Orleans-based federal judge overturned the moratorium, and the Obama administration appealed, but was not immediately able to convince the courts to issue a stay, meaning drilling could continue pending the appeal. However, some damage has already been done. The initial deepwater drilling moratorium announcement prompted a lot of drilling rigs to move their operations to alternate locations. And, Sen. John McCain cited the Deepwater Horizon disaster specifically as he introduced a bill to repeal the Jones Act in its entirety.

For more information about your Gulf of Mexico oil spill claims, Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig explosion injury claims, oil spill responder injury claims, or other maritime law questions, contact SMSH today at 1-800-282-2122 or info@smslegal.com.