The US National Hurricane Center has issued a warning that tropical storm Nadine is likely to become a hurricane as it traverses the central Atlantic, threatening vessels moored offshore.
Weather forecasters have predicted that Nadine will not pose any risk to land based structures or communities, but warns that workers on vessels such as oil rigs that are anchored in the Atlantic should take precautions and consider moving closer to the shore and wait out the worst of the storm. Offshore workers on oil rigs are particularly vulnerable due to the nature of these vessels.
The storm first started at the Cape Verde Islands off the West Coast of Africa, and has been steadily moving across the Atlantic towards the United States for the last three days. Hurricane Nadine will be the 14th storm to hit the United States in the 2012 hurricane season. The storm has already reached wind speeds of 70 miles per hour and speeds are continuing to increase as it travels across the ocean.
Offshore workers, particularly those on oil rigs, should be aware of the possible danger of being out at sea when a hurricane such as Nadine hits. The employers of such workers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that the safety of the crew is considered first and foremost, above any commercial or other interests. In the past, hurricanes have led to fatalities out at sea when the vessel operators refused to bring the rigs closer to shore in stormy conditions.
Maritime employers also have a duty to evacuate all offshore rigs if there are any warnings issued by weather reporting services that confirm that the vessel lies in the projected path of a hurricane. Evacuation procedures should be smoothly run, and crew members should undergo emergency drills and training on what to do in the case of an emergency.
In addition, vessel manufacturers, operators and contractors should ensure that their vessels are as safe and sturdy as possible, to limit the extent of damage if the vessel is caught in a storm unexpectedly. Any employers who do not have a clear, safe and secure evacuation plan or who refuse to transport workers to shore when there is a hurricane warning may be found guilty of negligence and employees who are injured or killed in such a situation may be eligible to take legal action against their employer.
The National Hurricane Center will continue to monitor Nadine and is expected to issue further information about its path as it draws closer to the US.
