How many discussions do we need about the results of flying single engined aircraft over vast amounts of salt water. If the engine ceases to cooperate....you go swimming unless you are very lucky.
I could suggest topics that would be fun to debate....such as is there an approach profile that would allow for a successful low power or autorotative landing on a oilrig helideck? Or, should single engine aircraft have saltwater activated float switches thus allowing for an automatic inflation of the floats should the pilot forget to punch the button or pull the lever or hit the water inadvertently? Or, should Northsea offshore safety standards not be applied worldwide? Or, suggest the costs of applying Northsea standards is cost prohibitive and would only drive up the cost of petrol(gasoline for you Rednecks) and lost lives are cheaper to pay for rather than the safety improvements?
The Gulf Of Mexico offshore oil industry is a joke. The US Government's(particularly the FAA) oversight of the industry there is certainly a joke. The helicopter industry standards in the GOM are a joke. No one is laughing beyond some folks with very nice cash bonuses and stock options.
But what is the use....anything said here about the situation is wasted. The pilots in the GOM cannot see beyond their noses and gladly accept the situation as well as shoddy treatment by the operators.