Sea Gem Accident

Sea Gem (BP)

December 27, 1965

Location: North Sea (67 kilometers off the coast of Lincolnshire)

Description

First British offshore oil rig. 5,600 ton steel barge converted to oil rig. The crew were in the process of moving the rig to another site approximately two nautical miles away. This process involved lowering the rig onto the surface of the water, in order to float it to the new site. When the rig was lowered, two of the legs collapsed, causing the rig to capsize, with equipment and people sliding off and into the freezing cold of the North Sea.

13 crew were killed.

Cause ???

Additional Factors

•	As the radio hut was among the equipment falling into the sea, the rig never sent out an emergency signal.

Impacts / Lessons Learned

The Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 was passed: several changes were made in order to improve the safety of oil rigs:

•	Use of standby boat, which would be able to help rescue crews in the event of future accidents

•	Established the concept of the Offshore Installation Manager, with a key role in coordinating safety.

The 1971 Act became supported by a number of sets of Regulations, including those on Op Safety, Health & Welfare, Emergency Procedures and Construction and Survey.