Coast Guard Lifts Boom Ban; Announces New Media Procedures
NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 13, 2010) – The U.S. Coast Guard, in response to multiple protests by media organizations including those of the National Press Photographers Association, has today modified a policy on safety zones around booms deployed on coastlines oiled by the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf.
Lifting what's been called a "boom ban," Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says the new procedure will allow credential news media to travel freely within the boom safety zones.
"I have put out a direction that the press are to have clear, unfettered access to this event, with two exceptions — if there is a safety or security concern," Allen said. "This boom is critical to the defense of the marshes and the beaches."
Allen, who is the National Incident Commander for the BP oil spill in the Gulf, said the safety zones had been created to keep boats from going over the top of booms or damaging it. Previously, news organizations were required to contact local authorities each time they wanted to go near the boom.
There will be "simple" procedures for credentials, along with rules and guidelines, Allen said, but if the media follow these procedures they will be free to travel within the boom safety zones.
"We need to discriminate between media, which have a reason to be there, and somebody who's hanging around when we know that we've had equipment vital to this region damaged," Allen said in an official statement.
A credential will be issued for media representatives to carry and display as needed for the duration of the oil spill clean-up effort.
Media representatives can obtain credentials by providing their name, media affiliation, and contact information to the Unified Area Command Joint Information Center at UACNOLAJIC@gmail.com, Allen said.
After journalists apply for the new credential, which NPPA's president did today, a confirmation letter (which must be carried with the journalist while covering the spill) spells out the rules and guidelines that must be followed:
- All vessels traveling into a safety zone must have a media vessel credential. Carry this authorization letter with you while onboard and underway.
- Media must also carry their official media credential.
- Vessel operator must obey all federal, state and local navigation rules and regulations.
- Vessel should maintain a safe distance from anchored boom, but may be within the established 20m safety zone for media activities if it is hazard-free.
- Vessel speed must not create wake near booms, vessels servicing booms, decontaminating vessels or other boats actively engaged in oil recovery operations.
- Vessel may not make contact with or cross a deployed boom, as this will damage the boom and may result in damage to your boat.
- Vessel must have onboard all federal, state, and locally required safety equipment. Safety equipment must be in proper working condition and USCG approved.
- Before leaving the dock, all vessels should be advised of weather conditions and know the effect wind, current and tide will have on the boat’s movement.
Journalists who are denied access to any part of the response can call the UAC JIC at +1.713.323.1670 for immediate assistance.
News organizations have argued being kept at least 65 feet away from the boom impeded the ability to cover the spill. The Associated Press, local elected officials, NPPA's Advocacy Committee, and others have been complaining to Allen that the boom ban created an unnecessary barrier.
Just last week, NPPA and the organization's president, Bob Carey, sent a letter to President Barack Obama, with a copy to the Coast Guard, asking for "a more reasonable" safety zone and for Obama to rescind a ban on members of the media speaking with clean-up workers.
"The Constitution provides First Amendment protection from governmental abridgment of press access. While that protection is limited by reasonable time, place and manner restrictions - a blanket ban keeping journalists at least 65 feet away from any activity related to the oil spill cleanup is overly broad and may limit more access than is necessary," Carey wrote.
And Carey appeared on a KCRW radio show along with a Coast Guard official where NPPA and other journalists asked for justification of the 65-foot boom ban, and Carey explained how it was keeping the media from being able to do a better job of covering the story.
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