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Ratification of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 1984 Protocols
Domestic legislation on compensation and liability is needed to implement two IMO protocols related to compensation and liability. The United States should ratify the 1984 Protocols to the 1969 Civil Liability and the 1971 Fund Conventions. Expeditious ratification is essential to ensure international agreement on responsibilities associated with oil spills around the world' (A Report to the President: Executive Summary).
Introduction of Safeguards
It is imperative to establish such environmental safeguards so as to minimize the possibility of oil spillage, by improving transportation, production, storing facilities. 'The infrequency of major oil spills in recent years contributed to the complacency that exacerbated the effect of the Exxon Valdez spill' (CNN: Exxon found guilty).
Legislation on liability and compensation is needed
The Exxon Valdez incident has highlighted many problems associated with liability and compensation when an oil spill occurs. Comprehensive U.S. oil spill liability and compensation legislation is necessary as soon as possible to address these concerns' (Secretary of Petroleum: Report to Congress).
EXXON: FULFILMENT OF MORAL OBLIGATIONS
Safeguarding the prospects of Prince William Sound
The Exxon Mobile has introduced tugs that escort the oil tankers; the tugs are equipped with radar system used for tracking both the ships and icebergs. The company created emergency response team, the recruits were trained for different level of conditions, and in this regard the company conducted series of exercises that included key personnel from industry, government agencies and local citizens' advisory groups.
Promotion of Safety on International Scale
The company has made public commitment towards taking concrete measures for prevention and mitigation of future accidents, during its operational activities. The company has untaken the responsibilities with reference to cleanup, compensation and scientific study. After the incident of Exxon Valdez, the company enhanced and improved its long-term commitment towards safeguarding the environment, employees, and operating communities.
Exxon has utilized the services of Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd. (LRQA), for measurement of Operation Integrity Management System against ISO 140001 environmental management standard...
LRQA is a leading independent classification and inspecting authority.
Results
According to the Exxon's report following results have been achieved after the implementation of above mentioned measures,
The company achieved an 80% improvement worldwide in employee and contractor safety performance.
The company reduced 80% oil in refinery wastewater production, another pro-environment measure.
The company's average worldwide oil spillage reduced to 3 gallons per million gallons shipped.
The company successfully reduced the number of spills from approaching non-marine operations in United States by 60%.
Further more, 'Exxon's safety and environmental efforts have been recognized and commended by numerous outside agencies, The Campaign for Cleaner Corporations ranked Exxon's U.S. refineries second in overall environmental performance and first in environmental impact, and it recognized Exxon as exhibiting superior environmental performance. Chile's environmental agency recognized Exxon for having the most reliable and best-managed air quality-monitoring network in the country. The Texas Land Commission awarded a certificate of appreciation for outstanding contribution to the environmental protection of the state's coastal waters. Nicaragua's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment presented Exxon with a Special Mention Award for contributions to protecting the environment' (Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Cleanup, and Litigation: A Collection of Social-Impacts Information and Analysis).
References
Michael Baffrey, Contracting Officer's, Technical Representative U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Environmental Studies Section., Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Cleanup, and Litigation: A Collection of Social-Impacts Information and Analysis.
Science and Transportation United States. Congress Senate Committee on Commerce, United States Congress, Exxon Oil Spill: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Phillip Margulies., The EXXON Valdez Oil Spill.
Peter G. Wells., EXXON Valdez Oil Spill: fate and effects in Alaskan waters.
Cousins issued right rudder commands to result in the desired course change and took the ship off autopilot. While such efforts did not result in turning swiftly Cousins ordered further right rudder with increasing urgency. The bumpy ride and six very sharp jolts occurred at 12:04 AM. The vessel grounded towards southwest balanced across its middle on a pinnacle of Bligh Reef. Eight of the eleven oil tanks punctured flooding
Like most litigations on such complicated issues the company had little to do but show reasonable accommodation, adopt better surface practices and wait out a lengthy period before their liability was reduced substantially by the courts. Ethical analysis: The key ethical issues of the case are pretty clear, did the captain knowingly endanger the environment by continuing to retain his position and navigate tankers through the area and did the company
(Tanner, 1) The tanker, which ran afoul of a support girding for the Bay Bridge, released the remarkable amount of oil into an area which is highly populated by plants, animals and people, and is also incidentally ensconced on three sides by the now tainted Pacific waters. In the immediate aftermath of the event, it was clear that such areas as San Francisco had taken the brunt of this poorly
Rawl confessed that it was "bad judgement involved in even putting a person with a critical skill back in that kind of work...It is pretty clear we have to tighten those things up" (Loeb pp). When asked what advice he had for other CEOs, Rawl stated that they had better prethink which way they are going to jump from a public affairs standpoint before they have any kind of a
Instead, he believed from the charts he had studied that it would be possible to steer safely through the sharp rocks of the reef, shortening the time and distance of the trip (Streissguth & Chandler, 2003). Just after midnight, the ship struck the reef, and the disaster began. Soon thereafter, accusations began flying. Hazelwood had a history of drunk driving (of his car), and admitted to having several drinks
Regulating Oil and Gas Drilling and Transport The American economy runs on energy produced from oil, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric power, nuclear power and renewable sources like solar and wind energies. In fact according to a report in the Congressional Research Service, oil provides the United States with 40% of its total energy needs. It is used in myriad ways, providing "…fuel for the transportation, industrial, and residential sectors" (Ramseur, 2012).