An Investigation into the Loss of the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Ocean Ranger

Abstract

The loss of all 84 persons aboard the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) Ocean Ranger on February 15, 1982 and 123 of the 212 persons aboard the MODU Alexander L. Kielland on March 27, 1980 are dramatic examples of MODU accidents. One of the purposes of this paper is to describe the investigative process undertaken by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Royal Commission to determine the cause of the capsizing and sinking of the Ocean Ranger. In that regard, the NTSB analysis and findings are presented. A number of other MODU casualties are summarized in order to put this casualty into perspective. The responsibility for the safe operations of these complex and expensive platforms must be shared among regulators, vessel owners, drilling contractors, operators and labor organizations. The paper examines the national and international rules and regulations that are in place relating to design, construction and operation of MODU's. The NTSB recommendations are put into this shared-responsibility framework.