Lifeboat incident on ‘Maersk Giant’ under investigation

The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) Norway has decided to investigate the lifeboat incident which occurred on the Mærsk Giant jack-up drilling rig on January 14, 2015.

According to the PSA, the incident occurred during testing of the lifeboat systems on the Mærsk Giant jack-up rig currently positioned on the Yme field in the southern North Sea.

Talisman Energy Norge AS has consent from the PSA to use Mærsk Giant as living quarters in connection with preparations for removing the Yme facility.

Mærsk Giant is equipped with conventional lowered lifeboats. The PSA explains that during testing, one of the lifeboats was unintentionally lowered to the sea. The lifeboat then drifted underneath the facility. The wire rope which the lifeboat was lowered on wore through.

The PSA says that, following the incident, the lifeboat drifted away from Mærsk Giant with an emergency vessel as escort. There were no personnel on board the lifeboat when the incident occurred.

The PSA emphasizes that it takes a serious view of the incident, and has decided to undertake an investigation.

“The object of our investigation is to ascertain the sequence of events, proximate and underlying causes, actual and potential consequences and to identify any regulatory breaches. The intention is to contribute to learning and transfer of experience – and thereby to help prevent similar incidents,” the PSA said.

The PSA’s investigation team began its work on January 14.

Offshore Energy Today contacted Talisman Energy seeking comment, but has not received a reply thus far.

Update: January 15, 14:39 CET

In an e-mail sent to Offshore Energy Today, Talisman’s spokesperson confirmed that “there were no persons aboard the lifeboat and there were no injuries as a result of the incident”.

The spokesperson added that “it was during a routine test of the brake functions that the lifeboat lowered to the sea surface at the normal controlled speed. We are working on this incident in close cooperation with the Maersk Drilling organization and the authorities.”

When asked about the cause of the incident, the spokesperson explained that “it is  too early to conclude what went wrong. An investigation team was mobilized offshore last night and is now on Maersk Giant to do the necessary investigations”.

Offshore Energy Today Staff

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