OCS-Related Accidents, Investigations and Safety Alerts

Capsizing of the Liftboat SEACOR POWER approximately 7 nautical miles south of Port Fourchon, LA in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the loss of 13 lives.

View the Seacor Power page for information related to this incident.

See also the following information related to this investigation:

• Findings of Concern 13-23: Seacor Power Casualty: Findings of Concern Regarding the National Weather Service
• Findings of Concern 14-23: Seacor Power Casualty: Findings of Concern Regarding Liftboats
• Findings of Concern 15-23: Seacor Power Casualty: Dispatcher Training, Draft Readings and Weather Forecasting for All Commercial Vessels

Shell AUGER TLP Lifeboat No. 6 Inadvertent Hook Opening with Loss of Life and Injury at Garden Banks 426 on the U.S. OCS in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Coast Guard publicized the release of the report via Maritime Commons blog post.

View the AUGER LB 6 page for information related to this incident.

See also the following information related to this investigation:

• Enclosure (2) to the report for USCG testing that was conducted during the course of the investigation.
• Safety Alert 03-20: Check Your Lifeboat Cables: Damaged Control Cables can Contribute to the Unintended Opening of a Hook
• Findings of Concern 17-23: Unsafe Lifeboat Conditions and Practices

Anchor Strike of Underwater Pipeline and Eventual Crude Oil Release

This report discusses the October 1, 2021, crude oil release resulting from contact of ships’ anchors with an underwater pipeline in San Pedro Bay near Huntington Beach, California. Safety issues identified in this report include insufficient distance between anchorage locations and the pipeline, need for notification of potential pipeline damage to the pipeline operator, need for improvements to Vessel Traffic Service vessel monitoring systems, incorrect response by pipeline controllers to leak alarms, lack of postaccident alcohol and other drug testing for pipeline controllers, and the need for pipeline operators to implement pipeline safety management systems. As a result of this investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board makes six new safety recommendations to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Marine Exchange of Southern California.

See NTSB's DCA22FM001​ docket page for supporting information gathered during the investigation.

Tilting of Liftboat L/B Robert

On November 20, 2022, at 1256 local time, the liftboat L/B Robert was reported to be listing (tilting) alongside a stationary oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico near South Marsh Island Block 137, about 80 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The crew had evacuated 2 days prior due to forecasted adverse weather in the area, leaving the vessel elevated out of the water and unattended. Following the casualty, vessel crewmembers, salvors, and personnel from the operating company assessed the damage and facilitated the tow of the vessel into port. No pollution or injuries were reported. Damage to the vessel and cargo was estimated at $6.9 million.

See NTSB's DCA23FM007​ docket page for supporting information gathered during the investigation.

Collision between Bulk Carrier Bunun Queen and Offshore Supply Vessel Thunder

​​On July 23, 2022, about 1314 local time, the bulk carrier Bunun Queen, transiting eastbound in the Gulf of Mexico with 20 crewmembers on board, and the northbound offshore supply vessel Thunder collided about 66 miles south of Port Fourchon, Louisiana. The Thunder sustained substantial damage to its port side, which resulted in the flooding of one of its propulsion rooms and three other spaces. Eleven of Thunder’s 18 crew were evacuated to a Good Samaritan vessel, and the remaining crew stayed with the vessel to control the flooding while it was towed back to port. There were no injuries, and no pollution was reported. Damage to both vessels was estimated at $12.3 million.

See NTSB's DCA22FM030​ docket page for supporting information gathered during the investigation.

Diesel Generator Engine Failure on board Offshore Supply Vessel Ocean Guardian

On May 27, 2022, about 1435, the offshore supply vessel Ocean Guardian was conducting sea trials in Shilshole Bay near Seattle, Washington, when its no. 3 main diesel generator engine suffered a mechanical failure that resulted in a fire in the engine room. The crew extinguished the fire before it could spread throughout the vessel. There were no injuries reported for the 22 crewmembers and contractors on board, and there was no pollution reported. Damage to the Ocean Guardian totaled an estimated $1.1 million.

See NTSB's DCA22FM021​ docket page for supporting information gathered during the investigation.

Breakaway of Moored Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit VALARIS DS-16 and Subsequent Collision with Cargo Vessel Akti

On March 12, 2022, about 0020 local time, the mobile offshore drilling unit VALARIS DS-16 was in layup status at the ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, when it broke away from the dock, drifted across the Bayou Casotte channel, and collided with the bulk cargo vessel Akti moored at the Chevron Refinery dock no.6. There were no injuries reported for the 164 crewmembers and personnel on board the VALARIS DS-16 or the 22 crewmembers on board the Akti, and there was no pollution reported. The total damage resulting from the breakaway was estimated at $5 million.

See NTSB's DCA22FM013​​​ docket page for supporting information gathered during the investigation.

Contact of Offshore Supply Vessel Elliot Cheramie with Oil and Gas Production Platform EI-259A

On June 25, 2021, about 0245 local time, the offshore supply vessel Elliot Cheramie was transiting in the Gulf of Mexico with four crew and five offshore workers aboard when it struck the uncrewed/shut-in oil and gas production platform EI-259A (Eugene Island Block 259 ‘A’ platform) 77 miles southwest of Port Fourchon, Louisiana. Four minor injuries were reported. Damage to the vessel, platform and pipelines was $362,814.

See NTSB's DCA21FM031​​ docket page for supporting information gathered during the investigation.

Capsizing of the Liftboat SEACOR Power

On April 13, 2021, about 1537 local time, the U.S.-flagged liftboat SEACOR Power capsized about 7 miles off the coast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, in a severe thunderstorm. Eleven crew and eight offshore workers were aboard the liftboat. Vessel operators in the area reported heavy rain, winds exceeding 80 knots, and 2-to-4-foot seas at the time of the capsizing. Search and rescue efforts were hampered by 30-to-40-knot winds and seas that quickly built to 10-to-12 feet and persisted throughout the evening and into the next day. Six personnel were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and Good Samaritan vessels, and the bodies of six fatally injured personnel were recovered. Seven personnel were never found and are presumed dead. The vessel, valued at $25 million, was a total constructive loss.

Additional information can be accessed through NTSB's SEACOR Power investigation page.

• The Preliminary Report report was released 18May2021.
• A public meeting (virtual) was held 18Oct2022. The Report Abstract (consisting of the executive summary, probable cause, findings and recommendations was made available.
• NTSB's DCA21MM024 docket page for the marine investigation contains supporting information gathered during the investigation.

Contact of Bulk Carrier Ocean Princess with Oil and Gas Production Platform SP-83A

On January 7, 2021, at 0122 local time, the bulk carrier Ocean Princess, with a crew of 24, struck the uncrewed/out-of-service oil and gas production platform SP-83A while operating in the Gulf of Mexico, 24 miles south of Pilottown, Louisiana.1 No pollution or injuries were reported. Damage to the vessel and platform was estimated at $1.5 million.

Collision between Offshore Supply Vessel Cheramie Bo-Truc No. 33 and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harry Claiborne

On October 11, 2020, at 1544 local time, the offshore supply vessel Cheramie Bo-Truc No. 33 was traveling with a crew of five outbound for sea in Sabine Pass when it collided with the US Coast Guard Cutter Harry Claiborne, which was servicing a buoy near Texas Point, TX. The Cheramie Bo-Truc No. 33 subsequently ran aground. The crew attempted to refloat the vessel, and as it broke free, the current set the offshore supply vessel into the stationary cutter, resulting in a second collision. Three of the 24 crewmembers aboard the Harry Claiborne suffered minor injuries; none of the Cheramie Bo-Truc No. 33 crewmembers were injured. No pollution was reported. The estimated damage to the Cheramie Bo-Truc No. 33 ($65,072) and the Harry Claiborne ($440,879) totaled $505,951.

Diesel Generator Engine Failure aboard Offshore Supply Vessel OCEAN INTERVENTION

At 1303 local time on December 19, 2020, the no. 3 diesel generator engine aboard the Ocean Intervention suffered a mechanical failure while the offshore supply vessel was anchored off Honolulu, Hawaii. The failure led to the ejection of components from the engine and resulted in a fire in the engine room. The crew isolated the fire before it could spread throughout the vessel. No pollution or injury to the 16 crewmembers on board was reported. Damage to the Ocean Intervention totaled $3,046,624.

Overturning of the Liftboat KRISTIN FAYE

Summary: On September 8, 2019, about 1015 local time, the liftboat Kristin Faye overturned while preparing to conduct work alongside a platform in the Gulf of Mexico, in Main Pass Block 64, located about 18 miles east of Venice, Louisiana. All three crewmembers abandoned the vessel and were rescued. One person suffered minor injuries during the evacuation. An estimated 120 gallons of diesel fuel were released. The vessel was declared a constructive total loss at an estimated $750,000.

Fire aboard OSV GRAND SUN

Summary: On October 8, 2018, about 0215 local time, the offshore supply vessel Grand Sun was transiting the Chandeleur Sound in the Gulf of Mexico, about 15 miles from the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, when the vessel caught on fire. The four crewmembers aboard attempted to fight the fire but were unsuccessful. They remained on the stern of the vessel until they were rescued by the US Coast Guard. The fire burned itself out, and the vessel was later towed to port. No pollution or injuries were reported. The vessel, valued at $1.6 million, was deemed a constructive total loss.

Overturning of the Liftboat RAM XVIII

Summary: On November 18, 2018, about 0200 local time, the liftboat Ram XVIII overturned in the Gulf of Mexico, in West Delta block 68, located about 15 miles south-southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana. Five crewmembers and ten offshore workers abandoned the vessel and were rescued. Three personnel suffered minor injuries during the evacuation. An estimated 1,000 gallons of hydraulic oil were released. The vessel was declared a constructive total loss at an estimated $1,140,000.

Collision of OSV GLORIA MAY and Fishing Vessel CAPT LE

Summary: The offshore supply vessel Gloria May collided with the uninspected fishing vessel Capt Le in the Gulf of Mexico about 2040 on the evening of August 24, 2014. As a result of the collision, the hull of the Capt Le was breached and the vessel flooded and sank; the bow of the Gloria May suffered minor damage. Three crewmembers from the Capt Le abandoned their sinking vessel into a liferaft and were recovered by the crew of the Gloria May. No injuries resulted from the accident. Total damage was estimated at $225,000.

Collision between Passenger Vessel DIAMOND EDGE and Liftboat B.W. HALEY

Summary: On March 2, 2015, at 1027 local time, the passenger vessel Diamond Edge and the liftboat-configured offshore supply vessel B.W. Haley collided while under way in dense fog about 55 miles south-southwest of Lafayette, Louisiana. As a result of the collision, the hull of the Diamond Edge was breached and the vessel partially sank. There were no significant injuries or pollution reported. Estimated damage exceeded $1.75 million for both vessels combined.

Allision of OSV CONNOR BORDELON with Unmanned Platform South Timbalier 271A

Summary: On January 23, 2015, at 0432 central standard time, the offshore supply vessel Connor Bordelon struck the unmanned natural gas platform South Timbalier 271A, which was located about 5.25 miles south of the jetty channel entrance at the vessel’s home port of Port Fourchon, Louisiana. The allision caused the pipelines attached to the platform to rupture and the natural gas and oil inside the pipelines to ignite. After the allision, the pipelines were shut down, and three good Samaritan vessels in the area applied water to put out the fire. The allision also caused a breach in the Connor Bordelon’s hull below the waterline, and the vessel began taking on water. The captain contacted the US Coast Guard to report the accident, and the Coast Guard released the Connor Bordelon from the accident area and allowed it to continue to Port Fourchon while the crew addressed the flooding. None of the 24 persons aboard the vessel were injured.

Allision of OSV TRISTAN JANICE with Natural Gas Platform

Summary: About 0712 local time on February 18, 2014, the US-registered offshore supply vessel Tristan Janice allided with a natural gas production platform in the northern Gulf of Mexico, about 54 miles south-southwest of Houma, Louisiana. No one was injured and no water pollution resulted from the allision. However, the vessel and the platform sustained about $545,000 in total damage, and a substantial amount of natural gas escaped into the atmosphere from a ruptured supply pipe.

Subsea Pipeline Damage by Tug and Barge VALIANT/EVERGLADES

Summary: The articulated tug and barge (ATB) unit Valiant/Everglades lost propulsion and drifted to within about 20 yards of the East Cameron (EC) 321A production platform in the Gulf of Mexico, forcing the shutdown of the platform and evacuation of its 35 crewmembers about 0600 on November 17, 2014. The captain of the Valiant ordered the anchor dropped to slow the vessel until propulsion was restored, and in the process of backing away, the anchor ruptured a subsea pipeline, causing an estimated $2 million in damage and the release of a total of about 249,800 mcf of natural gas. Neither the platform nor the vessel was damaged, and no one was injured.

Fire on Board Saturation Diving Support Vessel OCEAN PATRIOT

Summary: A fire that broke out in the forward machinery space of the saturation diving support vessel Ocean Patriot while under way in the Gulf of Mexico on the evening of November 28, 2013, was brought under control by the vessel’s fixed fire suppression system without serious injury, and no pollution resulted from the accident. Damage to the Ocean Patriot was estimated to be $9.8 million.

Allision and Sinking of Offshore Supply Vessel CELESTE ANN

Summary: The offshore supply vessel Celeste Ann was receiving passengers from West Delta oil platform 73 about 20 nautical miles southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana, when the vessel allided with the platform about 0836 on June 14, 2013. The allision punctured the hull, and the Celeste Ann subsequently flooded and sank. All passengers and crew evacuated to another vessel, and no one was injured.

Sinking of Offshore Supply Vessel RICKY B

Summary: On May 30, 2013, at 0702 central daylight time, the offshore supply vessel Ricky B sank in the Gulf of Mexico about 24 nm south of Marsh Island, Louisiana, while being towed. The three crewmembers had abandoned the Ricky B earlier and boarded a good samaritan vessel, from which they were subsequently transferred to a nearby manned oil platform. No one was injured. The Ricky B was later refloated. Its damage was estimated to be $520,000.

Fire On Board and Sinking of Liftboat MAKO

Summary: About 0503 on January 16, 2012, the US liftboat Mako caught fire while supporting oil drilling operations about 6 miles off the coast of Nigeria, Africa. No one on board was injured, but the Mako was a total loss in the accident.

Collision of Oil Tanker FR8 PRIDE with MODU ROWAN EXL I

Summary: On May 2, 2012, at 0718, the oil tanker FR8 Pride collided with the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) Rowan EXL I in Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi, Texas. No one was injured in the collision, but the two vessels sustained an estimated $16–17 million in damage.

Liftboat TRINITY II, Personnel Abandonment and Loss of Life

Excerpt from abstract: This report discusses the September 8, 2011, accident involving the U.S. Liftboat Trinity II. Ten persons were on board. Because of severe weather and boarding seas associated with Hurricane Nate, the elevated liftboat’s stern jacking leg failed and the onboard personnel abandoned the vessel. Four of them died.

ROWAN GORILLA I, Capsizing and Sinking

Excerpt from abstract: This report explains the sinking of the mobile offshore drilling unit ROWAN GORILLA I on December 15, 1988, in the North Atlantic Ocean. The safety issues discussed are the vessel's design and stability, vessel towing, weather, lifesaving equipment stowage, survival capsule design, survival training, and manning and licensing requirements.

GLOMAR ARCTIC II, Explosion and Fire

Excerpt from abstract: On January 15, 1985, the U.S. semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) GLOMAR ARCTIC II was conducting well testing operations 130 nautical miles east-southeast of Aberdeen, Scotland, in the North Sea. About 2030, the drilling unit experienced an explosion in the port pontoon pump room. The chief engineer and third assistant engineer were killed in the blast. Damage to the drilling vessel was estimated to be $2.3 million dollars.

ZAPATA LEXINGTON, Explosion and Fire

Excerpt from abstract: About 1230 on September 14, 1984, the U.S.-flag mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) ZAPATA LEXINGTON suffered an explosion and fire while moored and conducting drilling operations in 1,465 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico. The accident occurred while procedures were being employed to evacuate a gas bubble from the subsea blowout preventer stack on the sea floor. Instead, gas trapped in the blowout preventer entered the base of the marine riser, rose to the surface, and escaped into the atmosphere, expelling a large volume of drilling mud out of the riser. The gas infiltrated the areas above and below the drill floor at the base of the derrick and was ignited. The explosion and fire that followed resulted in the deaths of four persons and severe injuries to three persons. Sixty-four persons abandoned the MODU using two survival capsules and three inflatable liferafts. The gas fire burned itself out about 30 minutes after the rig was evacuated. The cost of repairs was estimated at $12 million.

GLOMAR JAVA SEA, Capsizing and Sinking

Excerpt from abstract: About 2355 on October 25, 1983, the 400-foot-long United Stated drillship GLOMAR JAVA SEA capsized and sank during Typhoon LEX in the South China Sea about 65 nautical miles south-southwest of Hainan Island, People's Republic of China.  Of the 81 persons who were aboard, 35 bodies have been located, and the remaining 46 persons are missing and presumed dead.  The GLOMAR JAVA SEA currently is resting on the bottom of the sea in an inverted position in about 315 feet of water; its estimated value was $35 million.

OCEAN RANGER, Capsizing and Sinking

Excerpt from abstract: About 0300 on February 15, 1982, the U.S. mobile offshore drilling unit OCEAN RANGER capsized and sank during a severe storm about 166 nautical miles east of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada; 84 persons were aboard.  Twenty-two bodies have been recovered, and the remaining 62 persons are missing and presumed dead.  The OCEAN RANGER currently is resting in an inverted position in about 260 feet of water; its value was estimated at $125 million.

OCEAN EXPRESS, Capsizing and Sinking

Excerpt from abstract: About 1100 c.s.t. on April 14, 1976, the self-elevating drilling unit OCEAN EXPRESS departed a drilling site in the Gulf of Mexico under tow for a new drilling site about 33 nm away.  The OCEAN EXPRESS arrived at the new drilling site about 2330, but was not set in place because of adverse seas.  Three tugs held the OCEAN EXPRESS in position awaiting better weather, but the seas continued to increase.  On April 15, 1976, one tug's starboard reduction gear failed, and another tug's towline broke.  With only one effective tug remaining, the OCEAN EXPRESS turned broadside to the wind and seas, drifted, grounded, capsized, and sank about 2115.  Thirteen persons drowned in a capsized survival capsule.