Federal Judge Declares Safety Zone around Deepwater Horizon Site

Posted in Deepwater Horizon,Government,Gulf Coast,Maritime Law,World Maritime News on October 27, 2010

The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that a federal judge has declared a security zone around the Deepwater Horizon explosion site in the Gulf of Mexico until Oct. 8, 2011, as a means of protecting any evidence located in the area.

According to an article at NOLA.com, the security zone extends from the center of the wreckage site, which is located at coordinates N28-5491/W088-22.0293 in the area known as the Mississippi Canyon 252, from the sea floor of the Gulf of Mexico to the sea surface.

The security zone will extend 750 feet in all directions from the site of the accident, which resulted in 11 deaths and the largest oil spill in U.S. history.  A team of federal prosecutors are investigating possible criminal and civil cases stemming from the spill.

The statement issued by the Department of Justice said it has informed all companies known to have the means and equipment to do so not to enter the zone. The area will be protected by boats, aircraft and other methods, the statement said.

Published by maritime lawyer Gordon & Elias, LLP