U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Vern Gifford from the Eighth Coast Guard District prevention division swears in before testifying at the Deepwater Horizon joint investigation hearing, May 12. The Coast Guard and MMS are co-chairing the joint investigation launched to determine the cause of the initial incident and fire aboard the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. (U.S. Coast Guard photo Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas M. Blue)