Mark Turner, who has worked extensively in marine safety and environmental management, will review Newfoundland and Labrador's readiness for an oil spill. (CBC)

Newfoundland and Labrador has hired a consultant to assess if the province is doing everything it can to prevent oil spills and if it's ready to respond if one happens.

Master mariner Mark Turner, an expert in marine safety and environmental management, is expected to start the review immediately and complete it within 90 days.

Turner has worked in marine, onshore and offshore oil and gas operations and project management positions for three decades.

He holds a number of technical certifications, including a master of science degree in maritime law and practice. He was formerly chief operating officer of North Atlantic Pipeline Partners and Newfoundland LNG Ltd.

"The oil industry around the world is watching the events unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico and what lessons can be learned from the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig," provincial Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale said in a news release Wednesday.

Eleven offshore workers died when the rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded April 20.

"Our government is acting responsibly to retain an expert in this area to review current industry practices and ensure the industry has the best possible prevention and response procedures in the world," said Dunderdale.

Last week, Premier Danny Williams promised the province would do an independent review of the legislative and regulatory regimes, capabilities and practices in place in the province for prevention and remediation of oil spills.

Three offshore oil production platforms are currently operating in the ocean east of Newfoundland. Chevron began drilling the deepest offshore oil well in Canadian water to date on Sunday. The exploration well is being drilled in the Orphan Basin more than 400 kilometres northeast of St. John's.