May 12, 2010
Deepwater Horizon First Day of Hearings Concludes
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Kenner, LA (HNN) - The Deepwater Horizon joint investigation board held Tuesday, May 11, 2010 concluded the first day of hearings into the circumstances surrounding the explosion, fire, pollution and sinking of the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon, with multiple loss of life in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010.
The joint investigation has the powers of both convening agencies, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Minerals and Management Service (MMS), and is co-chaired and staffed by representatives of both agencies. For the public hearing, the joint investigation is following the policies and procedures for a U.S Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation contained in 46 Code of Federal Regulations Part 4 and USCG policy (available on the joint investigation Web site: www.deepwaterinvestigation.com ). The facts collected at this hearing, along with the lead investigators' conclusions and recommendations will be forwarded to Coast Guard Headquarters and MMS for approval. Once approved, the final investigative report will be made available to the public and the media. No analysis or conclusions will be presented during the hearing.
The hearings began Tuesday at 8 a.m. Witnesses were sworn in and there were two sessions, with the morning session concluding at 11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session re-convening at 12:45 p.m. Testimony was given by seven witnesses, with testimony ending at 4:35 p.m.
The witnesses Tuesday were: