Comment on FR Doc # E9-31351

I am a Master Mariner and Offshore Installation Manager of drillships and self propelled oil rigs. In the past I served as Chief Mate and Master/OIM of the Frontier Discoverer. Having safety zones around drilling vessels is an excellent idea. Safety zones are needed for all Mobile Offshore Drilling Units working in US waters. This is common practice in the rest of the world where typically all drilling vessels have at minimum a 500 meter safety zone. During my career I have had many incidents with vessels, particularly private pleasure/fishing vessels, approaching too close to the rig and endangering drilling operations. Our drilling vessels are industrial icons and would have very little defense from a small vessel which meant them harm. Thank you. Brendan J. Lally, MM MNI