Fatalities – 2004 (3 total)

09-Mar-2004 – Shell Deepwater Production, Inc.

Remarks: A roustabout on a derrick barge sustained fatal injuries when he was struck by a section of pipe that fell as it was being moved from the pipe bin to the pipe preparation rack. The pipe fell due to the failure

of the after hook on the crane hoist lifting device. See Coast Guard investigation report for more details

(MISLE Activity No. 2022162).

07-Apr-2004 – Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

Remarks: As personnel were being hoisted via a work basket from the Texas deck to a point just below the drill floor to commence the installation of the flow line to the diverter system, the hand rail on the rotary barricade became snagged with the shackle of the hoisting assembly and was lifted into the air. The incident was not noticed by the assistant driller, who was working as the spotter for the hoisting operation. As the lift was nearing completion, the rotary barricade suddenly dislodged from the shackle and fell, striking the assistant driller, who had moved to a point directly beneath the snagged barricade. This impact resulted in the death of the assistant driller. See OCS Report MMS 2004-0078 for more details.

17-Dec-2004 – W & T Offshore, L.L.C.

Remarks: As the Bell 407 helicopter was landing on the heliport, the main rotor blades struck the handrails of the boat landing that had been temporarily placed on the top deck adjacent to the heliport. The rotor blades and tail boom separated from the aircraft and the aircraft skidded to the edge of the heliport and fell 75 feet into the water. The four occupants were able to exit the helicopter and were recovered by a field boat. The pilot and two passengers sustained injuries in the crash and one passenger was fatally injured. The helicopter has not been recovered and is presumed to have been destroyed. The platform sustained minor damage. The NTSB determined the probable cause to be the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a stationary object while maneuvering for a landing. Contributing factors were the inadequate facilities available for landing, the operational status of the platform, and the pilot’s lack of information regarding the landing area. See NTSB Factual Report and Probable Cause Report for more details.

Last Updated: 10/19/09, 11:52 AM