A chaotic response in the initial moments after the Deepwater Horizon explosion may have led to its sinking, according to Coast Guard records and interviews with workers aboard the rig. Because the Coast Guard didn't have enough ships in the vicinity immediately following the blast, private vessels rushing to the scene did not have a firefighting expert on the scene to manage the response. The was in violation of the Coast Guard's own rules. Coast Guard officials admit they don't have the expertise to fight an oil rig fire.

Story by: Aaron Mehta and John Solomon
FROM THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY