The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator issued the following media statement in response to the United States Coast Guard Report of Investigation into the Circumstances Surrounding the Explosion, Fire, Sinking and Loss of Eleven Crew Members Aboard the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit DEEPWATER HORIZON in the Gulf of Mexico, April 20-22, 2010, as accepted by the Commandant’s final action:
"The Republic of the Marshall Islands acknowledges the Commandant's conclusions. The United States Coast Guard's report, with final Commandant action, reinforces many of the findings contained in the flag State’s report released previously," said Bill Gallagher, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs. "The Marshall Islands looks forward to working closely with the United States and other member States at the International Maritime Organization to implement the lessons that can be learned from this casualty and improve maritime safety going forward," he concluded.
Background:
The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator published the DEEPWATER HORIZON Marine Casualty Investigation Report on 17 August 2011. When operating on the United States outer continental shelf (OCS), both the flag State, the Republic of the Marshall Islands in this case, and the coastal State, the United States, regulate vessel safety and marine operational standards of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units. When engaged in drilling operations on the United States OCS, regulation and oversight of the drilling operations are provided by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (formerly the Minerals Management Service), an agency within the Department of Interior.