BP Returning to the Gulf, Safely This Time?

While some time has passed since the horrific 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident, every Louisiana seaman remembers the 11 men who were killed and the 17 others who were injured. The victims came from all over the Gulf Coast, and too often they are forgotten in the political battle that has been waged ever since.

Prior to the tragedy, 69 workers had been killed and 1,349 injured on Gulf Coast oilrigs since 2001. And afterwards, oil industry production was severely cut back, as many studies and restructuring took place. This meant many seamen lost their jobs.

But all that is about to change. According to Louisiana's Pelican Post, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) gave British Petroleum (BP) access to the Gulf of Mexico with the first drilling permit since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy. The news was released the end of October 2011.

BP will begin drilling off the coast of Louisiana in its Kaskida Field soon. Even though some Washington politicians have objected to BP's return to the Gulf, its largest oil producer will indeed return. Their return promises a return to work for many Louisiana seamen.

The maritime legal team at The Young Firm hopes that the enhanced safety regulations and awareness resulting from the BP disaster will carry over into the jobs of our Louisiana offshore workers. Nothing is more important than human life and safety.