This Anchor Killed 91 Men
Waterline Stories・2 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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Recent questions
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.