Coast Guard, MMS Joint Investigation Resumes

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Executives from drill owner Transocean of Houston and BP, which contracted the rig, will testify at hearings conducted by the Coast Guard and Minerals Management Service. The resumption was postponed a day while Transocean conducted a memorial service Tuesday for the 11 workers killed when the rig exploded April 20th. The hearings began earlier this month with some eyewitness reports as well as an MMS official testifying about confusion over inspection requirements for blowout preventers. That demolished unit is now spewing oil into the Gulf a mile below the surface. BP says it will next attempt to cap the leak with heavy mud and concrete. For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.