gCaptain is reporting Rear Admiral James Watson who has been serving as Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, will assume leadership of the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Adm Watson served as Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response.

The DOI news release is here:

“BSEE was one of the two agencies to succeed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) on Oct. 1, 2011. Admiral Watson will begin as BSEE Director on December 1, 2011, and will succeed Michael R. Bromwich.”

“BSEE is responsible for enforcing safety and environmental regulations for oil and gas operations on the Outer Continental Shelf. BSEE’s functions include: permitting and research, inspections, offshore regulatory programs, oil spill response, and newly formed training and environmental compliance functions.“