ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Alan Smillie on April 12, 2007, 05:35:22 PM
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Sky News reports of an offshore oil support vessel capsizing in the North Sea north of the Shetland islands with 8 of the 14 crew being rescued so far, no details yet of the vessel involved
This news just reported so details are limited.
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BBC news 24 have reported it as being the Bourbon Dolphin, 8 rescued and 6 still missing.
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Sydney took a photograph of this vessel in Lerwick on 10th April 2007 - see:
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=390488
Regards
Steve Ellwood
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Latest @ 18.45 GTMT is:
Rescue Drama In North Sea
Updated: 18:45, Thursday April 12, 2007
A major rescue operation is under way after an oil rig support vessel capsized 100 miles off the coast of Shetland with 14 people on board.
Eight have been recovered - but six are still missing, according to reports.
A coastguard helicopter and a North Sea rescue helicopter have been sent to the area, along with a Nimrod reconnaissance vessel.
RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said: "The latest... is there were 14 on board this vessel which has capsized.
"Eight have been recovered already. We have diverted a Nimrod from the Irish Sea to render assistance."
He added: "It does appear to be unfolding as a major incident".
Mr Mulford said he believed a coastguard helicopter from Shetland and a North Sea rescue helicopter were en route to the scene.
Regards
Steve Ellwood
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Very tragic affair. This vessel was just recently built by Ulstein in 2006. Ulstein has information for her pertinent details (http://www.ulsteingroup.com/kunder/ulstein/cms.nsf/pages/reflista.htm).
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Good Day,
This is very tragic news.I was a big fan of this vessel.Something very wrong there for sure.She is just recently delivered!I hope the best for the missing crew members we hope they will be found ok.This is aweful!!!.Please keep us informed.Thanks for posting this info.
Take Care
Jarrod David
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Latest on Sky News at 20.00hrs was that the vessels upturned hull was still alongside the rig or platform and that rescue services were picking up divers from Faslane and taking them to the scene to try and rescue the remaining 5 sailors who they say might still be alive within the vessels hull, they reported that there had been 15 on board the vessel and that 10 people had been rescued so far.
Regards, Alan.
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Latest news is that a Diving Support ship is on the way to the scene and helicopters are transporting divers to the scene and are to be sent down to the ship to search for the missing 6 persons.
This is very tragic news I'm in total shock with butterflies in my stomach.
Our hopes that the men are found alive.
Best regards
Stuart :-(
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Very Sad
The weather was god at time of the accident.
According to Bourbon offshore the ship was making a turning manoevre as the accident happended.
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Very, very sad. Let us all hope and pray that the whole crew can be saved.
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I've been at sea in the North Atlantic, in my case near St. John's, Newfoundland and you have to be extremely careful in those type of heavy swells, even in seemingly benign weather. In our case, we had a young person being educated at the wheel. He didn't respond quickly enough to the Officer of the Watch and we heeled over precipitously to port, such that we lost sea suction at the STBD main engine sea chest. I had to do a bit of scrambling to regain the suction as we were beginning to approach the harbour entrance and it's tougher to manoeuvre on just one screw. My little bit of inexperience came in not realizing we lost sea suction until the freshwater expansion tank boiled over from overheating. I had to shutdown the engine and get it all started up again before we could proceed into the narrows.
These type of supply vessels tend to be quite top heavy and they can roll about quite a bit. If there was an inexperienced hand on the wheel, it doesn't take long to get into trouble.
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Hunt for crew after vessel capsizes
12/04/2007 20:52
A major rescue operation is under way after an oil rig support vessel capsized 100 miles off the coast of Shetland with 14 people on board.
Ten crew members from the vessel, Bourbon Dolphin, have been recovered from the water by helicopter, but four are still missing, a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has confirmed.
A Mayday signal has been sent out to other vessels in the area calling for those with diving equipment and diving support crews to get to the scene.
The Subsea Viking, a support vessel designed for diving operations, is en route to the scene, but it is thought divers may need to be flown from the mainland to assist with the rescue.
It is not clear whether the missing crew members had been wearing survival suits or life jackets at the time of the incident.
Mark Clark of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency told Channel Four News the agency was mobilising divers to reach the missing people feared trapped inside the hull in water temperatures as low as 5C. He said: "We cannot see them therefore we can only assume they are under the hull," he said.
A coastguard spokeswoman said the boat was a Norwegian anchor platform tug which capsized close to the Transocean Rather oil platform.
The incident happened about 75 nautical miles west of North Shetland.
It is understood that the boat is an anchor handling vessel which capsized as it turned away from the rig. The drilling rig is operated by Transocean, the largest offshore drilling company in the world, for Chevron.
Conditions in the North Sea are said to be good, clear and calm.
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Very tragic to hear about the days events. The latest news we have heard is that the vessel was involved in lifting or lowering anchors for the semi submersible oil rig that is at the location. BBC news seemed to reckon that the vessel is still tethered to the oil rig. However each news report i hear seems to have a differnt story so i guess only time will tell.
I hope all goes well and they find the missing men safe and well.
Regards
Calum Fraser
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Latest from Sky News @
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260388,00.html
"Rescue Drama In North Sea
Updated: 21:53, Thursday April 12, 2007
A major rescue operation is under way after an oil rig support vessel capsized 75 miles off the coast of Shetland with 15 people on board.
Ten have been recovered from the icy waters - five crewman are still missing, according to the latest reports.
It is thought they may be trapped inside the hull of the upturned boat, the Norwegian anchor tug Bourbon Dolphin.
The vessel - which is less than a year old - capsized at 5.20pm as it was handling an anchor from the Transocean Rather oil platform.
Eight of the 15 people on board were rescued soon after and another two were later winched to safety by a helicopter.
A spokesman for the tug's owners, Bourbon Offshore, said: "The vessel had a problem and capsized. The crew are fully Norwegian.
"People have been rescued but there are still some people missing and there is a rescue operation under way."
RAF spokesman Michael Mulford told Sky News six divers were being flown to the rig from RAF Kinloss in Scotland.
Mark Clark of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was imperative divers get to the area as quickly as possible.
He said: "We have got the Subsea Viking, a support vessel designed for diving operations, en route to the scene and we are trying to muster divers.
"The Viking has an ROV (remotely-operated vehicle) on it so we can get under the hull but obviously it is getting dark now and that is going to hamper our operation.
"We cannot see anyone therefore we can only assume they are under the hull.
"If people are under the hull then we don`t know how much air they have or whether they have managed to struggle into their survival suits.
"The water is around five degrees at the moment," he added.
A coastguard helicopter and a North Sea Rescue helicopter were scrambled to the scene and an RAF Nimrod is providing overhead cover.
Three vessels, Olympic Hercules, Viking Victory and Highland Valour are also assisting with the search
Conditions in the North Sea tonight were said to be good - clear and calm."
Lets hope tomorrow brings better news.
Regards
Steve Ellwood
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According to several norwegian web-newspapers, two men are found dead. Very sad...
Tomas
vg (http://www.vg.no/)
dagbladet (http://www.dagbladet.no/)
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The two men confirmed dead were among the ten people who were rescued earlier this evening. Still five men missing.
My thoughts go to families of all the men, dead, missing and rescue. I hope the will manage to rescue/ find the 5 still missing
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Latest at 23.00hrs on Sky News.
Michael Mulford at RAF Kinloss said that it looks like they will have to take off the Rigs crew of 99 as the Bourbon Dolphin is still attached to the Rig and it may cause problems for the Rig overnight, they are still continuing to try and recover the crew members still on the vessel.
A very sad day for those crew members who have died and hopefully they can find the missing crew members tonight.
Regards Alan.
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My thoughts goes to the crew and their families.
Two of the missing is father and son. The son is 15 and where onboard as a schoolrelated introductory to work.
I sincerely hope noone will take offense to the following ;
For Those in Peril on the Sea
(William Whiting)
Eternal Father, strong to save
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave.
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep
Oh hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word
Who walked'st on the foaming deep
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep.
Oh hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease
And give, for wild confusion, peace
Oh hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and power
Our brethren shield in danger's hour
From rock and tempest, fire and foe
Protect them wheresoe'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
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Hi
Report from the BBC this am that ROV has been down to check its safe for the divers to go down,
my prayers are with the families of the crew
REGARDS Stephen
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Hi
Why should anyone connected with the sea object to having the 'sailors hymn' posted on this site.
I also hope they quickly find the missing persons.
regards
karl
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Hi Folks,
I'm a BBC radio journalist workign on BBC Radio Norfolk
We have been told the Borboun Dolphin has also worked in the southern North Sea arround Great yarmouth .
Can anyone confirm this is the case and when it was last in the area.
Jim
bbc.co.uk/norfolk
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Hi Jim,
Yes the BOURBON DOLPHIN was in the southern sector of the North Sea using the ports of Great Yarmouth and Harwich, carrying out diving operations in the southern sector, early 2007.
On the 20th January 2007 she departed Great Yarmouth at approximately 20:00 GMT after discharging diving equipment. The vessel was bound for Aberdeen on departure.
Regards
Ashley
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In an interview given to NRK (Norwegian News broadcasting) it is said that the most likely cause of this is that she was pulled around by the weight of the anchor and chain came over on her side rather than astern. She capsized within minutes
It is said that this happened by the combination by sea and current conditions during anchor handling operations.
Interview is given by one of the survivors contacts and assistants and this is what he has been told by them
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Here are the latest pictures taking from the Coastguard helicopter earier tis afternoon
http://www.stv.tv/content/news/main/display.html?id=opencms:/news/Three_die_after_oil_rig_support_vessel_c
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Latest from Sky News @ http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260399,00.html
"Rescue Bid Called Off
Updated: 15:49, Friday April 13, 2007
The search for survivors of an oil rig vessel which capsized in the North Sea has been called off.
Divers have concluded it is too dangerous to attempt to enter the upturned hull of the Bourbon Dolphin which overturned west of the Shetland coast.
A 15-year-old schoolboy on work experience and his father are believed to be among the five people missing.
The rescue attempt has now turned into a recovery operation.
The Bourbon Dolphin There had been hopes that the missing could have survived in an air pocket in the hull although search teams conceded it would be a "miracle" if they were alive.
Three fellow crewmen on the Bourbon Dolphin died and seven more were rescued alive.
Aberdeen Coastguard Richard Crowther told Sky News that the rescue divers were facing a very dangerous situation.
"The instability and not knowing what might happen to the vessel at a moment's notice is the main risk," he said.
Capsized was off the Shetlands The incident happened when the vessel was handling an anchor from the drilling rig Transocean Rather, operators Transocean said.
The owners of the ship, Bourbon Offshore, which is based in Fosnavaag in Norway, has chartered a plane to bring company representatives and family members to Lerwick.
Managing director Trond Myklebust said: "This is the worst day in the company. It's difficult and is tragic for us but we are trying to focus on helping the relatives.
"At this stage we do not know how it happened. We only know it happened quickly."
He added that there was no mayday or distress call from the ship.
He described his company as a small operator in the industry with 500 seamen and 27 office-based staff."
Sad news.
Regards
Steve Ellwood
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Dives have carried out under and around the vessel without finding anybody. The weather is reported getting worse.
One of the survivors said he just managed to get a lifejacket.
He spent 25 minutes in water. Other survivors were in a liferaft.
In October 2003 the danish registered Stevns Power capsized while anker handling outside Nigeria for pipelayer
Castoro Otto. All here crew of 11 were lost.
The accident investigation report can be found here:
http://soefart.inforce.dk/graphics/Synkron-Library/Sofartsstyrelsen/Publikationer/OKE/Ulykker_2003/stevnspower.pdf
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This is the latest fron Sky News:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260563,00.html
"Salvage Mission Begins
Updated: 07:59, Saturday April 14, 2007
A salvage operation to recover an oil rig tug boat which overturned in the North Sea began at first light after coastguards gave up hope of finding survivors.
The coastguard has called off the search for five missing people believed to have been in an air pocket in the hull of the Bourbon Dolphin.
A 15 year-old boy who was on work experience is among the missing, as is his father.
There were 15 Norwegian crew aboard the vessel when it capsized on Thursday afternoon.
Ten were recovered, but three of those were later confirmed dead.
Neville Davis of Shetland Coastguard said: "We must now accept that ... it is extremely unlikely that the five missing crew will be found alive."
Royal Navy divers from Faslane dived on the ship and on the wheelhouse, but found nothing and it was deemed too dangerous to try to get inside the hull.
The seven survivors were airlifted to hospital in Lerwick, Shetland on Thursday night, and representatives from Bourbon Offshore and family members arrived in Lerwick yesterday.
The Norwegian owner of a Shetland cafe said the father of the missing boy was vessel captain Odne Remoy.
Reidar Vetvik, 65, who runs the Havly Centre in Lerwick, said: "The father and son were on the bridge of the vessel when it overturned."
The 250ft ship, which is less than one year old, had been working at the Rosebank oilfield when it capsized just over a mile from the rig.
It is still connected to the facility by an anchor chain, said coastguards."
Regards
Steve Ellwood
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This is a tragedy .I work on Errv in the North Sea and understand the dangers .My thoughts are for the families and freinds in Norway
Regards John Webster
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I wholeheartly agree with you. I witnessed her sailing from Lerwick at 18:30hrs Tuesday evening, to think some were not to return is a sobering thought.
My thoughts are also with the families of these seamen.
Regards
trickyboat
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In danish news today there was a story about this vessel,
one of the missing crewmembers is a young danish seaman.
My thoughts are also with the families of these seamen.
:-( :-(
Regards.
Jesper
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This is such a sad tragedy. For now, prayers for the crew who died, for the buy who was looking to see what the sea life was like, and for their families.
Next, a careful and rigorous investigation into what went wrong, to help prevent ever happening again.
This account from The Herald in Glasgow, if it can be substantiated, may give some clues:
"According to witnesses, as the vessel headed away from the Transocean Rather drilling rig with one of its anchors, it seemed to turn sharply and the anchor chain jumped out of the mechanism at the rear of the deck which held it. As the chain ran across the deck, the 75-metre tug lurched one way, then the other, before overturning."
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As almost all of us surtenly know now. The ship has sunked into 1100 m deep.
This link is to the company website.
Pressrelease from Burbon shipping, france (http://bourbon-online.com/media/communiques/en/Press-release-april-16th-2007.pdf)
Next link to their website about accident.
Bourbon Dolphin (http://bourbon-online.com/Bourbon-dolphin-En)
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A maritime inquiry into the loss of the Norwegian supply vessel Bourbon Dolphin, which capsized and sank off Shetland with the loss of eight lives, is due to open at a Norwegian court. Smit International has issued a statement about the sinking of the Bourbon Dolphin, which capsized on April 12th whilst performing offshore services for the drill platform Transocean Rather. Subsequently, SMIT Salvage was contracted by Bourbon Offshore Norway AS, to render salvage services to Bourbon Dolphin.
The mobilization of the necessary salvage personnel, craft and equipment started immediately. A salvage team of seven members was flown to the Shetland Islands and the anchor handling tug Zeus, equipped with a diving spread and salvage equipment departed to the casualty from Den Helder, the Netherlands. The AHT SV Highland Valour was chartered in order to depart from Lerwick, Shetland Islands, as soon as the salvage team arrived, reports said.
"Unfortunately, owing to fog conditions and reduced visibility on the Shetland Islands the salvage team encountered delays as a consequence of cancellation of inbound flights and suspension of helicopter services." "Meanwhile, discussions were held between all interested parties and the UK Secretary of State Representative with regards to releasing the casualty by cutting the pennant wire/ anchor chain to which she was connected to the drill platform. This was considered necessary because it was reported that Bourbon Dolphin was causing a threat to the drill platform and its personnel." "On Saturday 14th April in the late evening, the pennant wire was cut and the casualty was released from the platform. The AHT SV Olympic Hercules held the casualty in position awaiting the arrival of the salvage team and craft. In the early afternoon of 15th April, the master of Olympic Hercules reported a deterioration in the condition of Bourbon Dolphin. The salvage master arrived on site and established that the casualty was unstable and in the process of losing her buoyancy."
"Given the prevailing weather and sea state conditions at that time, (southwesterly wind 5 Beaufort and a sea swell of 4-5 metres) it was deemed to be unsafe to carry out the towage or even perform preparations such as a diving survey." "Bourbon Dolphin was completely submerged and the wire connection to Olympic Hercules had to be released. The vessel sank at the position of 61
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Here is a report on the Bourbon Dolphin tragedy, which is illustrating what I and many others thought: that something (perhaps the chain snagging on some underwater obstacle, or a sudden turn to avoid a collision?) caused the chain to jump out of the karmfork or similar device holding it at the center and rear of the main deck, and the resulting wide angle, or girding, force pulled her over.
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12617&d=1177370653
As I do not speak Norsk/Nynorsk nor read Bokmal, I hope one of our Norwegian friends may translate the diagram text, at least the captions for 1, 2, and 3?
Thanks in advance,
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If there is anyone not familiar with the maneuvers involved in anchor handling for offshore rigs in deep waters, this site, by Ebbe Holsting,a Danish junior ship's officer gives an excellent explanation:http://www.menkent.dk/anchorhandling.html .
Here are his photos of an anchor handling tug like Bourbon Dolphin in action:
http://www.menkent.dk/picassister.html
I post only links to his site, he deserves great credit for his illustrations and photos.
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Have tried my best to translate no.1,2 and 3.
#1: "Bourbon Dolphin" worked on anhorchain no.2 when it capsized.
#2: The anchorchain they are dragging onboard is pulled over the side, and the vessel gets a list.
#3: "Bourbon Dolphin" is dragged over to the side, which end with the disaster. The vessel then lies "bottom up"
Hope you understand my translation, Charmtug
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Thanks, Beddy,
From the shortness of the captions, I had thought it might be as you said. You have confirmed that the diagram describes what probably happened. This leaves the big question, I think; what caused the chain to move to the side so quickly, and with such a force as to pull the ship over on its side? The anchor weighs about 18-22 tons. If the full chain length to the bottom was out, the total weight could be as much as 200 tons (1100 m x 160 kg/m + 22 tons anchor). Bourbon Dolphin was near the rig when the accident happened, however so there should not have been that much chain out, 300 m, for example would make the hanging load about 60 tons. I don't believe this load could destroy stability by itself. The Glasgow Herald story said the chain "jumped" out of the restraining mechanism and the ship "turned sharply". The one scenario that I can think of to cause such a combination is the anchor line snagging on something off the line of the tug's pull. That would create a side force equal to the thrust of the tug's own main engines.
All is speculation until the Norwegian boards conduct their investigations. Hopefully there will be a clear consensus as to the cause, so measures can be taken to prevent any repeat of this tragedy.
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Report from hearings just released today by BBC:
"Capsize inquiry hears of problems
The moments before an oil rig support vessel capsized off Shetland, with the loss of eight lives, have been described at an inquiry in Norway. Witness told of problems in the run-up to the Bourbon Dolphin capsizing. First mate Geir Syversen said an anchor handling operation with another ship eventually saw the anchor chain drag over the side of the Bourbon Dolphin. The boat soon started to capsize and the boat turned over. Only three bodies were found afterwards.
The Bourbon Dolphin capsized 85 miles west of the Shetland coast on 12 April and sank three days later. The inquiry in Alesund, Norway, heard the Bourbon Dolphin had been involved in an anchor handling operation with another ship, the Highland Valour, at the time of the incident. Mr Syversen, the only survivor who was on the bridge during the accident, told the inquiry it took the Highland Valour five attempts to move the anchor. On the final attempt the anchor chain, he said, dragged over the side of the Bourbon Dolphin. The Highland Valour was told to go more north west. The captain then came on the bridge and took a VHF radio and called on the Highland Valour: "Do you know the difference between north west and south east?"
A call from the chief engineer said the vessel had to reduce its thruster, because it was overheating. Below deck, work started on filling tanks on the starboard side of the boat to keep it more steady. The Highland Valour then lost the connection again. The Bourbon Dolphin then tried to release the inner pin. This saw the chain run free and catch the outer tow pin. The first mate said the boat then started to capsize. The cargo deck started to disappear below the water. The two main engines also stopped.
The hearing was told that the emergency release system was triggered but did not seem to work as intended. The boat then turned over.
The inquiry continues."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...st/6590249.stm Published: 2007/04/25 13:35:23 GMT
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More reports on hearings. I'm posting several links, as there are differences in details reported among the various news services. Journalist ignorance, also: most understand the load is the total of anchor and rode and towing cable, but one reported a "330 ton anchor".
So far 2 contributing causes seem to be poor communications between tugs (no cause of that apparent yet) and, ultimately, failure somehow of the line to the load to come free immediately when the emergency release was triggered. Dynamic loading from the wind and sea state would have contributed...
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=641022007
http://www.norwaypost.no/cgi-bin/nor...maker?id=73007
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm...name_page.html
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news...355587.0.0.php
http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk/item500_bourbon_dolphin.htm
Ultimately, it may be that this tragedy was the result of many small problems accumulating until the situation became a disaster. Hopefully the entire truth will be determined and lessons applied to prevent this happening again.
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It is interesting to read how the English speaking press is covering this story, I have been reading the Norwegian press and Scandinavian sites and it appears that the crux of the matter is that the Bourbon Dolphin was the wrong boat for the job in combination with a series of unfortunate events which led to her capsize. Land lubbers will get details wrong like 330ton anchors and the like but this was supposed to be a routine job in weather that was not considered to bad for the North Sea.
I did a brief translation of the hearing from the Norwegian press on my blog
http://www.ruttledge.se/2007/04/26/bourbon-dolphin-court-hearing/
These accidents are not normally from one single event but a chain of events that result in the tragic loss of life.
It will be interesting to read the Norwegian Government report into the accident. it may take a few months before it gets published though.
All the best
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Welcome Tims
So sad to here the true story starting to come out on this accident
It appears that there is a lot questions to be answered
Regards Cawky
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Hi Cawky and everybody,
I don't know if anyone has mentioned the VDR previously, every ship over 3000 GT is supposed to have a Voyage data recorder (built after 2002) the Bourbon Dolphin had 2974 GT according to Bourbons home page, this doesn't mean that it did not have one as it was such a modern ship.
The Voyage Data Recorder gives all the facts of engine movement, position info and other nav info plus voice recording. I think it would be beneficial in any enquiry to retrieve such device if indeed it was fitted with one.
Anybody have any ideas or info?
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Please Please
I spent 20 odd years at sea on these type of ships doing survey work etc and I sailed with crew from all over and most of them were the same as you would expect from any mix of people ie very good seamen, ok the comms might have been a problem but again I have never had a major problem getting a seaman to do a job when asked. Lets wait and see what the offical investagation comes up with before we go and presuppose who is to blame, I have heard people around this area who have never stepped foot on a ship coming up with wild ideas about what happend, remember people died out there lets remember them and wait and see what the offical verdict is before we start unfounded rumors.
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Here is a an article from te shetland post with actual events that day.
Things are now coming out in the open.
Things that should never have happend.
http://www.shetlandtoday.co.uk/Shetlandtimes/content_details.asp?ContentID=22127
Stuart
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NRK (Norsk RiksKringkasting) sent a documentar this evening.
The meaning was to send it last week, but due to the investigation-commission they decided to wait till today.
A very touching docu. I sat back with a BIG lump, and a sad heart after watching.
REST IN PEACE ALL SEAMEN AT THE DEEP OECAN!!
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Hi Stuart,
Thanks for the link to the "ShetlandToday" report, seems that an unfortunate sequence of events including that of the engine room and the Rigs advice on the operation has led to this serious tragedy although i hope that statements from all the parties involved on how the events took place will help in possibly preventing this happening again.
My condolences to the family and friends of those who died in this tragedy.
Regards, Alan.
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A fuller report of the inquiry (in English language) is now available on the Bourbon website.
http://bourbon-online.com/Bourbon-dolphin-En
Click on link 'Records of.....Maritime Inquiry' in the first article at top of page, dated 4th May.
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Below is a brief translation of a press announcement on the Norwegian Maritime Directorates news page.
On Friday the 4th of May 2007, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate held a meeting along with representatives from the offshore industry, ship designers, the Norwegian Ship Owners organisation and the classification societies. The meeting was to discuss what action should be taken in light of the Bourbon Dolphin accident.
One of the objects of the meeting was to quickly put together a group of experts with experience of such operations to map out the limitations of such ships, this group will report directly to the Maritime Directorate. The results of this groups findings will be presented to industry representatives including the operators and employees on rigs and anchor handlers, so that limitations are known during these operations, and what forces are acting on vessels and equipment during operations.
The Directorate said it was important to point out that this task force would not come into conflict with the work of the special accident investigation commission into Bourbon Dolphins capsize and sinking.
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The Sunnmore District Court report on this disaster makes for some interesting reading.
http://bourbon-online.com/media/corporate/xs_9376_bourbon_offshore.pdf