No Injuries Reported in Transocean Rig-Supply Vessel Collision

No crewmembers have been reported injured in a maritime accident involving a Transocean oil rig and a supply vessel off the coast of Newfoundland.

According to offshore safety regulators, the collision involved the offshore drilling rig GSF Grand Banks, owned by Transocean Ltd. and working for Husky Energy Inc., off the Newfoundland coastline. The rig was struck by a supply vessel, the Maersk Detector. According to the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, the maritime accident occurred at about 3:30 PM local time.

Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries to any of the crew members either aboard the drilling rig or the supply vessel. There is also no indication of any pollution or spillage at this point in time. However, both the supply vessel and the rig suffered damage above the water. There is also no indication that either vessel is sinking. One of the columns that supported the offshore drilling rig currently has a hole approximately 13 feet long.

The operators of the rig say that the well has been secured, and when the weather is suitable, the rig will be towed to a shipyard for repairs. Currently, crewmembers are trying to get the rig ready to be towed. The rig is scheduled for maintenance work in January, and that will now be brought ahead.

Canadian offshore safety regulators have already sent an investigation team to St. John’s, where the supply vessel will be repaired. At the time of the collision, there were 90 offshore oil workers on the rig, and about 15 crew members on the supply vessel.

The maritime law lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers represent offshore workers who have been injured in maritime accidents.