Blowout and Subsequent Fire On Offshore Platform – Investigation Report

This incident took place almost a decade ago and refers to a rig blowout and the subsequent fire that broke on the platform. Initially the Rig was conducting directional drilling operations. After a stand being pulled the well began flowing at an increasing rate. The annular diverter element was closed and the well was put into the diverter system. The alarm was sounded to evacuate the Rig and Platform. After a while the end of the port diverter pipe blew off and an uncontrolled flow of gas, water, sand, and hydrocarbons caught fire. The fire from the uncontrolled flow out of the diverter was spread on the Rig floor.

2013.12.23 - Blowout and Subsequent Fire On Offshore Platform - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Thermal Oil Heater Explosion Onboard Oil Tanker – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to the explosion of two oil-fired thermal oil heaters onboard an oil tanker. The explosion seriously injured three crew members and severely damaged the thermal oil heater and surrounding equipment and fittings. The injured crew members received only rudimentary first aid on board. Shore-based emergency paramedics attended the ship and the injured crew members were evacuated by helicopter for treatment and recuperation.

2013.12.16 - Thermal Oil Heater Explosion Onboard Chemical Tanker - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Man Overboard from Chemical Tanker – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to a man overboard incident that took place onboard a chemical tanker. An ordinary seaman fell overboard while he was trying to undo  a rope lashing that was attached between the bottom of the pilot ladder and a cleat that was recessed in the ship’s hull and used to hold the pilot ladder against the hull. The accident took place during heavy weather and unfortunately the ordinary seaman was not recovered from the sea and must have been presumed dead.

2013.12.09 - Man Overboard from Chemical Tanker - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Death of Chief Engineer While Boarding Bulk Carrier – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to the death of a relieving engineer while boarding the Hong Kong registered bulk carrier Apollo. The relieving Chief Engineer (C/E), who just arrived at the ship’s side after a journey of about 14 hours from Sri Lanka, fell into the water when he was climbing the pilot ladder to board the vessel.

2013.12.02 - Death of Chief Engineer While Boarding Bulk Carrier - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Monthly Piracy Report for October 2013

On a monthly basis the Officer of the Watch Blog publishes a report regarding maritime piracy incidents. The report focuses mainly on vessels of the Merchant Navy (Bulk Carrier, Chemical Tankers, Containerships etc). Up until the date this report is being published the figures of maritime piracy related incidents worldwide, according to IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, are as follows:

  • Total Incidents Worldwide: 206
  • Total Hijackings Worldwide: 11
  • Somali related Incidents: 11
  • Nigeria related Incidents: 30

The above figures were last updated up until the last week of October 2013. A PDF version of this post is also available by clicking the following link in order to download OOW Piracy Monthly Report for September 2013. The PDF version of this report can be also found in the OOW profile in Scribd by clicking HERE.

2013.11.28 - Monthly Piracy Report for October 2013 Figure 1

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Explosion and Consequent Fire onboard Chemical Tanker – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to an explosion and a consequent fire in the forecastle of the 2159gt Isle of Man registered tanker Border Heather on 31 October 2004. As a result significant damage was caused to the vessel’s structure and systems but fortunately no-one was injured and there was no pollution.

2013.11.25 - Explosion and Consequent Fire onboard Chemical Tanker - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Blowout and Consequent Fire onboard Offshore Platform – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to an accident that took place during an attempt to weld the casing head of a slip-on wellhead, gas flow was noticed coming from the +10 valve. Later, unsuccessful attempts were made to stop the flow, which was then coming from the drive pipe/surface casing annular region. The gas flow eventually ignited and caused extensive damage to the platform. The well bridged over and kill operations were completed successfully and fortunately there were no injuries.

2013.11.18 - Blowout and Consequent Fire onboard Offshore Platform - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Seaman Killed Due to Rescue Boat Hook Failure – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to an accident that took place during a drill with the vessel’s rescue boat. When the second of the two crewmembers entered the boat at the embarkation level, the jaw end of a swivel connected to the rescue boat’s hook failed due to a damaged split pin, and the boat fell approximately 18 meters to the sea with the two crewmembers on board. One able seaman (AB) was killed instantly when the boat hit the water. The other crewmember was severely injured but with the prospects of a full recovery.

2013.11.11 - Seaman Killed Due to Rescue Boat Hook Failure - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Enclosed Space Flash Explosion Onboard Offshore Platform – Investigation Report

This incident information refers to an accident that occurred onboard an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico during maintenance and repair operations to clean several production vessels, including a high-pressure separator, the floatation cell, the wet-oil tank, and two stacked low-pressure separators, upper and lower. A flash fire ignited within one of the vessel’s causing injuries to four crew members.

2013.11.04 - Enclosed Space Flash Explosion Onboard Offshore Platform - Investigation Report Figure 1

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Collision Between Tankers During STS Operations – Investigation Report

This investigation report refers to the collision of the Greek registered tanker Saetta and the Marshall Islands’ registered tanker Conger when completing a ship to ship (STS) transfer operation off Southwold, Suffolk on 10 August 2009. Saetta’s starboard lifeboat and davit were damaged. Conger was undamaged and there were no injuries and no pollution.

2013.10.28 - Collision Between Tankers During STS Operations - Investigation Report Figure 1

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