Guard watches coast for oil slick's first wave

How about some strict internal safety measures from BP to begin with? Interesting that some are suddenly in favor of more gov't involvement.

I have never had a problem with basic goverment involvement and safty standards. It seems that a basic backup plan has never been formed and everyone has relied on that one shut of valve to stop this from happening.
Some things in this world need a back up plan A, B & C and some need none at all.

When I go to work I get in my car and just go not thinking about if I break down. When I hop in my boat I have several back up plans for if something goes wrong. If my car breaks down I can walk or call someone for help but if I have a problem with the boat it could mean life or death. So with the boat I have 2 VHF radios, emergency flares, cell phone handy, life jackets, etc... Thats the kind of back up plan I figured the oil companies would have but its apparent that none have any real back up plans.

As with anything it seems, it takes a mega disaster for quality safety measures to be put in place. Even then a lot of it is just window dressing to make everyone think it will never happen again. I'm really not convinced this is going to change very much in the long run.

BreakingNews

Coast Guard says saw has become stuck in riser pipe in latest effort to contain Gulf oil spill 41 minutes ago via breakingnews.com

Congress ought to be drafting the relief well legislation today, and pass it unanimously, that might give some reason to believe they are not clueless power mongers. It also ought to be a simple and straight forward legislation, no earmarks, no hidden caveats, just a simple bill that says every oil well in the gulf needs to have an associated relief well.

ah well...

They are going to bring in a second saw, according to BP. The first saw failed, leading to it becoming stuck.

It's comical at this point, really.

And pathetic.

As with anything it seems, it takes a mega disaster for quality safety measures to be put in place. Even then a lot of it is just window dressing to make everyone think it will never happen again. I'm really not convinced this is going to change very much in the long run.

Well the Valdez oil spill lead to double lined tankers but I guess other offshore accidents have lead to nothing. That's what shockes me the most. I would have never guessed with all the enviromental laws we do not require a better safty plan for these wells. While I'm for limited goverment I'm pretty disapointed with the lax rules in place for the past 30 to 40 years. I'm still for offshore drilling but not until they have better safty standards in place. The left can say "See I told you so" but from the post I've read here it seems even people on the left are shocked at the lack of safty rules in place.

Safety and backup measures cost $$. Probably the main reason why the oil companies are dragging their feet in this area. Plus a lack of pressure from the gov't and society in general.

CDNN :: BP Fought Oil Rig Safety Measures (http://www.cdnn.info/news/eco/e100430.html)

Safety and backup measures cost $$. Probably the main reason why the oil companies are dragging their feet in this area. Plus a lack of pressure from the gov't and society in general.

CDNN :: BP Fought Oil Rig Safety Measures (http://www.cdnn.info/news/eco/e100430.html)

That would have been a good article if they actually did a little reporting and said what safty measures they fought. For all we know they fought making everyone wear a life vest even when sleeping. I'd guess sense they left off the details it was monor safty stuff they are talking about. Not defending BP just pointing out its a poor article.

Try giving it another read it points out a couple of safety measures

It's a bit unfair to lump in all the oil companies with BP. BP stands alone when it comes to egregious safety violations, accounting for over 98% I believe.

That said, Exxon Mobil is considered the standard bearer when it comes to strictly complying with safety regulations. And many believe, to Matty's point, that is a direct result of the Exxon Valdez spill