Rig Survivors Detained Until They Signed Statements

According to some media accounts, rig workers who survived the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon were detained at sea for 36 to 40 hours and prevented from talking to families or going home until they signed two statements.

One reportedly stated that the worker signing it had not been injured — thus protecting BP against liability suits. The other reportedly stated that the worker had not witnessed the explosion.

• "Deepwater Horizon Survivor Describes Horrors of Blast and Escape from Rig," Guardian, May 20, 2010, by Suzanne Goldenberg.
• "Blast Survivors Kept Isolated on Gulf for Hours," NPR's All Things Considered, May 10, 2010, by Joseph Shapiro.