U.S. Coast Guard Sets Up Safety Zone Around Oil Spill Operations

30th Jun 2010 03:56

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES The U.S. Coast Guard has established a safety zone to prevent vessels coming within 100 meters of Deepwater Horizon oil spill booming and response efforts in Southeast Louisiana, the Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center said in a statement Wednesday. "The safety zone has been put in place to protect members of the response effort, the installation and maintenance of oil containment boom, the operation of response equipment and protection of the environment by limiting access to and through deployed protective boom," it said. "In areas where vessels operators cannot avoid the 100-meter rule, they are required to be cautious of boom and boom operations by transiting at a safe speed and distance." It said violation of a safety zone can result in a civil penalty of up to $40,000 while willful violations may result in a class D felony. By Singapore Resources Desk, Dow Jones Newswires; 65 6415 4123 (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 29, 2010 22:56 ET (02:56 GMT)