What kind of offshore drilling rigs are covered by the Jones Act?
The Jones Act covers "seamen" injured on vessels of all kinds, including mobile offshore drilling rigs.
There are many kinds of mobile offshore drilling rigs, including jack-up rigs, mobile offshore drilling units (or "MODUs"), semi-submersibles, spar platforms, lay barges, and drill ships.
Many Courts have found that these so-called "special purpose vessels" (or "SPVs") are vessel for Jones Act purposes. However, a worker injured aboard a mobile drilling rig still needs to pass the test set forth it the United States Supreme Court's Chandris decision, which requires, generally, a connection to a vessel or identifiable fleet of vessels that is substantial in terms of both duration and nature, and the worker must contribute to the mission or function of the vessel.
As in most cases, whether an injured worker is a "seaman" for Jones Act purposes will depend on the particular facts of the offshore workers' accident and the nature of his or her employment.
There are many kinds of mobile offshore drilling rigs, including jack-up rigs, mobile offshore drilling units (or "MODUs"), semi-submersibles, spar platforms, lay barges, and drill ships.
Many Courts have found that these so-called "special purpose vessels" (or "SPVs") are vessel for Jones Act purposes. However, a worker injured aboard a mobile drilling rig still needs to pass the test set forth it the United States Supreme Court's Chandris decision, which requires, generally, a connection to a vessel or identifiable fleet of vessels that is substantial in terms of both duration and nature, and the worker must contribute to the mission or function of the vessel.
As in most cases, whether an injured worker is a "seaman" for Jones Act purposes will depend on the particular facts of the offshore workers' accident and the nature of his or her employment.
