The Outer Continental Shelf is an important piece of land and seabed. In this article, we’ll define the term “Outer Continental Shelf” and explain how it relates to maritime injury law.
The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) refers to the submerged lands, subsoil, and seabed that lie beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and extend to the outer edge of the continental margin, which is typically about 200 nautical miles from the shoreline. The OCS encompasses vast areas of submerged land and resources, including oil, natural gas, and minerals, as well as diverse marine ecosystems.
The OCS is managed and regulated by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for overseeing the leasing of OCS resources, including the exploration and development of oil, gas, and renewable energy projects. Their primary goal is to balance resource development with environmental protection and ensure the responsible use of OCS resources.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), another agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, focuses on ensuring the safety and environmental sustainability of offshore energy operations on the OCS. They establish regulations, conduct inspections, and enforce compliance to prevent accidents, protect workers, and minimize the impacts of offshore activities on the environment.
The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and Maritime Injury Law are interconnected through the application of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). The OCSLA is a federal law that extends certain maritime and admiralty laws to workers injured on the OCS. It provides a legal framework for addressing maritime injuries and compensating workers involved in offshore activities.
Under the OCSLA, workers on the OCS are generally covered by federal maritime law, which includes the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Jones Act is a federal statute that grants seamen the right to seek compensation for injuries caused by the negligence of their employers or co-workers. It also provides maintenance and cure benefits, which cover medical expenses and living expenses while the seamen recover.
The LHWCA, on the other hand, is a federal workers' compensation system that covers maritime workers who are not considered seamen. It provides benefits to workers injured on navigable waters, including those on the OCS, and compensates for medical expenses, lost wages, and vocational rehabilitation.
The application of the OCSLA ensures that workers on the OCS have access to similar legal protections as those available to maritime workers on navigable waters within the United States. It allows injured workers to pursue claims for compensation, regardless of whether they are classified as seamen or non-seamen.
It's important to note that the application of maritime injury law on the OCS can be complex, and the specifics of a case may vary. Injured workers or their families are advised to consult with experienced maritime injury attorneys who can provide guidance and navigate the legal processes involved in seeking compensation under the OCSLA.
