The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has released its Investigative Report on the incident that occurred when the Breton Sound (BS) 55 EB Platform was struck by the shrimp boat Master Paul on October 13, 2020. The unmanned platform is owned and operated by Cantium LLC. During the incident, rigging on the boat contacted the unmanned platform.
The BSEE report, explained the sequence of events:
On 13 October 2020, during the morning hours at Main Pass (MP) 41 M, another Cantium operated facility, the production foreman looked out the window at the MP 41 field and noticed a trawling vessel next to BS 55 EB structure. With the use of binoculars, he noticed the vessel was listing towards the structure. At that point, he instructed the Motor Vessel (M/V) Ms Dee, standing by the MP 42 C structure, to travel to BS 55 EB to observe the situation. Once the Ms Dee arrived on location, they relayed over the radio “a shrimp boat has collided into the BS 55 EB Platform and there were some damages to the structure.”
Cantium personnel were then taken to the unmanned platform and it was remotely shut in while an investigation took place.
The BSEE report determined the probable cause of the incident:
Human Performance Error: The shrimp boat Master Paul operated by a captain and crew collided into the BS 55 EB platform.
The incident shows the importance of following procedures in the event of an offshore vessel allision. Instead of boarding the platform to inspect, the Cantium operators first requested the platform be remotely shut in by other remote personnel. Vessels must always remain aware of their surroundings, but especially when performing work near a stationary platform offshore. It is unclear if any of the vessel’s crew members were injured during this incident.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime injury and wrongful death litigation in courts across the country and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives as a result of the negligence of another party, or been seriously injured. We have handled numerous cases involving injuries that occurred on offshore platforms. The experienced offshore accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an offshore accident. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.