Offshore staff
ST JOHNS, Canada – Hibernia Management and Development Co. (HMDC) has started an investigation following a crane incident last week on the Hibernia platform complex offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.
According to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB), two staff were attempting to connect a 10 x 8-ft container lifting bridle to a 10-m (33-ft) pennant line assembly, off the East pedestal crane main hook.
The container had been landed unevenly on a cantilevered deck and required adjustment. But as the crane operator tried to maneuver the main hook into position, it contacted a structural beam, causing the hook to veer from a vertical to horizontal position.
The 5kg D Ring then slid past the spring loaded-latch on the crane main hook, falling around 10 m, with the entire pennant line assembly coming to rest on the container, 1.5 m (4.9 ft) away from the closest person.
Although there were no injuries, there could have been potential for a fatality, based on the Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme calculator. All crane operations have now ceased, with C-NLOPB is monitoring HMDC’s investigation of the incident.
C-NLOPB has also issued fines of $40,000 and $50,000 to respectively Suncor Energy and Transocean Canada Drilling Services following a review of an unauthorized discharge in April 2018 of Enviromul with Puredrill IA-35LV from the semisubmersible Transocean Barents.
The spill was deemed a breach by Suncor, as operator, and Transocean Canada, as drilling contractor, of their obligations under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, and a violation (Type B) of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations.
To date, no observed impacts have been reported to marine life in the area.
05/19/2021
