USA: BSEE and Coast Guard Ink MOA

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Coast Guard  recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) outlining the efforts of the two agencies to strengthen oil discharge planning, preparedness and response for offshore facilities used for oil and gas drilling, production or related activities occurring on the Outer Continental Shelf.

This new agreement incorporates many lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and outlines the jurisdictions of both agencies, elaborating on responsibilities within Regional Response Teams and Area Committees, Oil Spill Response Plans, drills and exercises, equipment inspections, training, and research and development.

The facilities and vessels subject to this MOA may include, but are not limited to, mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs), support vessels for subsea containment, and floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) (or similar) vessels,
located in state and federal waters seaward of the coastline.

“Recent events have taught us the value of developing strong partnerships with our federal partners,” said BSEE Deputy Director Margaret N. Schneider. “This agreement with the Coast Guard allows us to continue this close working relationship, strengthening our coordinated efforts to protect the environment and workers offshore each and every day.”

“The complexity of the offshore energy segment requires us to build federal partnerships that will improve safety and environmental protection in the offshore environment, said Director of Response Policy RDML Cari B. Thomas “This MOA clearly establishes a strong framework of capabilities that protects America’s economic interests and those that work in offshore environment.”

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Source: BSEE, April 6, 2012