Latest recommendation from the NTSB:
http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/letters/2007/A07_87_88.pdf
Extract from the paper:
"Accident Statistics for Air Taxi Operations in the Gulf of Mexico
A review of the Safety Board’s accident database for 2000 to 2006 found that Part 135 and Part 91 helicopter operators were involved in 62 incidents and accidents in the Gulf during that time period, resulting in 38 fatalities and 25 serious injuries.According to a safety review conducted by the Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC),offshore helicopter operations in the Gulf served approximately 2.8 million passengers annually between 2000 and 2005. A December 2004 study presented by Shell Oil Company to members of the HSAC indicated that 67 percent of offshore oil industry helicopter accidents occur in the Gulf and forecasted that, if the accident rate continues, there could be an equivalent of 250 fatalities from all offshore helicopter operations in the next 10 years."