Black Elk Ends Search for Missing Offshore Worker (USA)

November 21, 2012

Search and rescue efforts to find the worker who went missing following the explosion on the Black Elk-operated offshore platform, off the coast of Louisiana, have been suspended.

The company issued a statement last night saying that based on the advice and counsel of search and rescue experts it would now end the search after more than 100 hours.

The worker, Jerome Malagapo of the Philippines, was employed by Grand Isle Shipyard Inc. which was working on the platform refurbishment.

He has been unaccounted for since Friday, November 16, when the explosion hit the Black Elk-operated oil platform located at West Delta 32 Block, in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico approximately 17 miles southeast of Grand Isle, La.

A body of another worker, Ellroy Corporal, 42, who went overboard after the fire broke out, was recovered on November 18. There were 22 workers on the platform at the time of the incident.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on Friday, immediately after the incident happened, began an investigation into the explosion and fire.

“BSEE personnel have been working around the clock inspecting the facility, meeting with witnesses and reviewing all available technical documents to ensure that we are able to obtain an accurate representation of what happened on West Delta 32 early Friday morning,” said BSEE Director James A. Watson. “When all of the information is collected and analyzed, BSEE will be in a position to decide which enforcement actions are appropriate and more importantly, how BSEE and the offshore industry can learn from this tragic event in order to prevent loss of life and injuries from future accidents.”

Black Elk Recovers Body of Crew Member. One Still Missing (USA)

Fire Catches GoM Platform. Two Workers Missing

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, November 21, 2012