A Shell Oil drilling ship lost its mooring in Alaska’s Dutch Harbor last week, drifting dangerously close to shore. Despite witness claims, inspections by divers show no evidence that the ship ran aground.
The 571-foot Noble Discoverer is part of the Shell fleet getting ready for exploratory drilling in the Arctic waters of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. The vessel slipped its anchorage in 35 mph winds and is now anchored at least 750 yards from land after being towed offshore following the incident.
A Shell spokesman said about 120 crewmembers were aboard the vessel at the time but none were injured. The vessel and its crew are set to begin the journey to the Arctic by the end of the month, with drilling set to begin in early August.
The maritime law lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers represent workers who have been injured in offshore drilling accidents and survivors of crew members killed in such accidents.
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