ABSTRACT
Ships and other sea-going structures may collide with offshore oil rigs leading to loss of life, sea pollution and economic damage. For example, in the period from 1973 to July 1995 a total of 463 incidents of vessels collidin~ with offshore oil installations was recorded on the UK continental shelf. Offshore oil installations also may be damaged by the acts of other users of the sea. They further may be subject to military2 and/or terrorist attack. 3 International law provides certain rules and regulations for the protection of offshore oil rigs and for the prevention of collisions at sea.
