Storm in the Gulf of Mexico forced the evacuation of an oil rig near Lake Charles, Louisiana. Investigators assess deterioration of the foundation.
An elevated vessel was subjected to strong winds and high waves during a storm in the Gulf of Mexico, which resulted in it capsizing, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) last Wednesday. The damage caused to the ship and cargo was valued at US$6,9 million.
On November 20, 2022, it was reported that the elevator L/B Robert it was tilting alongside a stationary oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, situated about 80 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The crew had evacuated the elevated vessel two days earlier due to forecast bad weather in the region, leaving it out of the water and unattended. There were no reports of injuries or pollution Gulf of Mexico'.
The captain makes the decision to evacuate the elevated vessel
The lift boat captain, L/B Robert, decided to evacuate the ship on November 17, 2022, due to adverse weather conditions. To the predicted waves would exceed the operating limits of 8 feet of travel and 15 feet of the lift boat, posing a risk to the crew and the staff of oil platform No. Gulf of Mexico.
Evacuation and guidance of ground management personnel
When the crew evacuated the L/B Robert, they left a air space approximately 25 feet above the water surface, following the guidance of shore-based management personnel. This measure was crucial to maintain the ship's resistance to capsizing by the combined forces of wind and waves, which exceeded weather forecasts at the time of evacuation.
Impact of tipping forces on the vessel's legs
Overturning forces from wind and waves were transferred from the vessel's legs to the platforms. This caused the deterioration from the base of the surrounding seafloor, leading researchers to determine that the foundation Deteriorated seabed beneath the port leg gave way, resulting in the vessel shifting and the deck edge submerging.
