The spill could have been prevented had the rig been equipped with a remote acoustic switch acting as a back-up to the failed dead-man switch. According to the Wall Street Journal, such acoustic back-ups are required by law in Norway and Brazil, Norway having mandated them on all deepwater rigs since 1993
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704423504575212031417936798.htmlAccording to CNN morning news today, U.S. oil companies have lobbied against the back-up acoustic switch and other government-imposed safety regulations since they were first proposed.
Whoever still believes that industry doesn't need more government regulation after this latest disaster really needs to see a shrink.
