This Anchor Killed 91 Men
Waterline Stories・12 minutes read
A rare typhoon in 1990 led to the loss of 91 crew members on the drill ship Seest operated by Unocal Corporation in the Gulf of Thailand, raising questions about the company's negligence in providing accurate weather forecasts and essential equipment during the storm. Despite legal action and settlements with families, an investigation concluded that the ship was seaworthy but revealed design and operational shortcomings that were highlighted during the inquiry.
Insights
- Unocal Corporation's failure to provide accurate marine weather forecasts and essential equipment during a typhoon in 1989 led to the Seest drill ship facing severe damage and endangering the lives of crew members, resulting in legal action and settlements with affected families.
- The investigation by Failure Analysis Associates Incorporated (F triaa) determined that while the Seest drill ship was considered seaworthy under the law, design and operational deficiencies were identified, shedding light on potential improvements needed in maritime safety protocols and practices.
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What happened to the drill ship Seest 91?
The drill ship Seest 91 faced a rare typhoon in the Gulf of Thailand on May 23, 1990, resulting in the loss of 97 crew members.
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Summary
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Tragic Typhoon: Unocal's Role and Seest
- On May 23, 1990, a rare typhoon hits the Gulf of Thailand, causing the drill ship Seest 91 of 97 crew members to perish.
- Unocal Corporation, an American petroleum company, plays a significant role in energy projects globally and domestically.
- The drill ship Seest, originally named Scan Queen, was built in 1977 by Far East Levingston Ship Building Limited in Singapore, owned by Unocal Corporation, and operated by Great Eastern Drilling and Engineering Company.
- Seest, operating in the Gulf of Thailand since 1981, undergoes upgrades in 1989, including a top drive drill system and modifications to its structure.
- On November 3, 1989, Seest faces a raging typhoon in the Gulf of Thailand, with Unocal failing to provide accurate marine weather forecasts and essential equipment for monitoring weather conditions.
- Despite efforts to stabilize Seest during the typhoon, the ship loses anchors, faces a 5° list to port, and sustains damage, leading to a search and rescue operation by Unocal and the Thai Navy.
- The search for survivors yields two bodies on the ship's bridge, with no survivors found initially until six survivors are discovered by Thai fishing boats and the Thai Navy.
- Unocal faces legal action from survivors and families of lost crew members, alleging negligence in evacuation procedures and ship seaworthiness, leading to a settlement with the families.
- An investigation by Failure Analysis Associates Incorporated (F triaa) concludes that Seest was seaworthy under the law, despite design and operational shortcomings highlighted during the inquiry.
