Deepwater Horizon In Their Own Words (Full Episode) | In Their Own Words
National Geographic・24 minutes read
The Deepwater Horizon rig explosion resulted in chaos and destruction, leading to search efforts for missing workers and intense rescue operations amidst flames and hazardous conditions, highlighting the dangers faced by rig workers and the emotional impact of the tragedy.
Insights
- The Deepwater Horizon rig explosion led to chaos and destruction, with workers facing hazardous conditions, split-second decisions for safety, and emotional turmoil due to the intense fire and tragic losses.
- Working on the rig was uniquely challenging, with dangers, isolation from family, and close bonds formed among workers due to shared risks, showcasing the distinct nature of their job compared to others.
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Recent questions
What caused the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig?
The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig was caused by a failure in the drilling process, leading to a release of methane gas and oil that ignited, resulting in a massive fire on the rig.
How did the workers on the Deepwater Horizon rig bond?
The workers on the Deepwater Horizon rig closely bonded due to the nature of their work, the risks they faced together, and the challenging conditions they had to navigate while drilling for oil in hazardous environments.
What challenges did the workers on the rig face?
The workers on the rig faced various challenges such as dangerous working conditions, extreme weather, being away from their families for extended periods, and the constant risk of accidents and explosions while drilling for oil.
How did the emergency response efforts unfold after the explosion?
After the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig, emergency response efforts were hindered by the destruction of key areas on the rig, forcing individuals to make split-second decisions to ensure their safety, leading to chaos and individuals struggling to find their way in the dark and smoke-filled environment.
What were the injuries sustained by the victim of the explosion?
The victim of the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig suffered severe injuries including a laceration on the leg, twisted lower-calf, missing fingernails, a hole in the neck, and burns on the back, making the evacuation process challenging due to the obstacles on the supply boat.
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Summary
00:00
"Deepwater Horizon Explosion: Chaos and Survival"
- The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig occurred around 10:00 Central Time, leading to flames spreading in all directions.
- 126 people were on board the rig at the time of the explosion, with some jumping over 75 feet into the ocean.
- The Coast Guard initiated a search for 11 missing workers following the explosion.
- Deepwater Horizon was a semi-submersible drilling rig rented to oil companies for about half a million dollars a day.
- The rig was used for drilling wells in challenging environments to extract oil.
- Working on the rig was different from other jobs due to the dangers involved, weather conditions, and being away from family.
- The rig workers closely bonded due to the nature of their work and the risks they faced.
- The explosion caused chaos and destruction, with individuals struggling to find their way in the dark and smoke-filled environment.
- Some workers managed to escape through debris and hazardous conditions, with one even encountering methane gas.
- Emergency response efforts were hindered by the destruction of key areas on the rig, leading to individuals making split-second decisions to ensure their safety.
18:03
Explosion on Rig Requires Emergency Evacuation
- Explosion occurred while individual was in the shower, leading to a need for coveralls.
- Request made to retrieve a stretcher for injured individual, Wyman.
- Efforts to remove debris from Wyman and assist him in walking out.
- Report to the captain about the propulsion failure and engine explosion.
- Chief ET Mike Williams informs about the explosion and lack of functionality.
- Subsea supervisor Chris Pleasant activates Emergency Disconnect System (EDS).
- Confirmation of EDS activation and necessity to leave due to lack of hydraulic pressure.
- Attempt to start standby generator fails, prompting return to the bridge.
- Observation of lifeboats being deployed and individuals jumping off the rig.
- Rescue efforts involving stretcher, life rafts, and lifeboats amidst explosions and intense heat.
35:42
Tragic Oil Rig Explosion: Severe Injuries, Emotional Impact
- Victim had severe injuries: laceration on leg, twisted lower-calf, missing fingernails, hole in neck, burnt back.
- Difficulty in evacuating victim due to obstacles on supply boat.
- Explosion on oil rig led to intense fire, threatening rig collapse.
- Fire source identified as crude oil leeching from wellhead.
- Emotional impact on rescuers and survivors, with 11 missing workers and tragic losses.
