Piper Alpha Disaster.

[Fouro]

Today 6th July 2018 is the 30th Anniversary of the Piper Alpha Disaster.
A Minute's Silence for the 167 oil rig men who lost their lives.
May they all R.I.P.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-sc...tland-44725320

Fouro.

[Fouro]

I have read the Cullen report over and over and while praising the "outstanding courage" in plucking Piper Alpha's workers from the sea, Lord Cullen revealed the sorry state state of the rescue vessels. e.g. The "Silver Pit", the paint on its hull blistering and its rope handrails smoking in the heat as it approached the blazing rig, rescued more than half of Piper Alpha's survivors including Ed Punchard. But like almost 90% of standby ships in the North Sea oil and gas industry at the time, she was a converted trawler, and her search light was broken.
According to Cullen, the "Silver Pit" was essentially unsuitable for the purpose of effecting the rescue of survivors.
Ed Punchard by the way wrote a book named Piper Alpha- A Survivor's Story which was published by Star Books in 1989.
I must inform all of you that the Master of the "Silver Pit" on this sad occassion was no other than Mr John Sabourn, a well known member of this site. At the very least the heroics performed by this brave man and the crew of the "Silver Pit" deserved a mention.
Disgusted by lack of interest shown by most members of this site on the anniversary of such a major disaster, "beggars belief".

Fouro.

[Captain Kong]

I agree Fouro,
John has sent me a full report of the disaster, one of his own, not from the stupid press.

[Louis the fly]

Hi Fouro I think you must have missed the long and moving account on the Piper Alpha disaster written by John Sabourn on this site. The post ran for a long time and many members contributed their thoughts and admiration for John on that tragic night.
Regards Lou.

[Fouro]

To Lou,
I too have read many of JWS's excellent posts which refer to the Piper Alpha tragedy, but reading about it didn't stop me, in fact, it made me all the more determined to emphasize that Friday 6th July 2018, was the 30th Anniversary of this major North Sea disaster.

Regards from,
Fouro.

[Denis O'Shea]

On that awful night I was on watch in the Radio room on the Brent Delta listening to the unfolding events and the desperate attempts of shipmates like JWS to rescue survivors, I think our own standby vessel was sent down to try and help. Rgds Den

[j.sabourn]

8. Den visited the maritime museum whilst in Aberdeen to view the reports on the Piper disaster. Appeared to be a shortage of reports and remarks by seamen and relied totally on media reports. Met whilst there the safety man off the Tartan platform, and ex safety man off the Claymore who was also a master out of Bank line, and a cook off the Tharus. Am sure their own views would have been more appreciative than unsolicited views by the media at the time. Also sent a note to the curator saying to make up the piper alpha objects he should visit this site to receive info. on the subject , plus other nautical themes written by professional seafarers on various subjects. Rather than rely on unsubstantiated reports by un knowledgeable press reporters. Hope the owner of the site does not object if he receives enquiries for information. The anniversary was worth the visit , but will be my last. Cheers JWS

[j.sabourn]

're 9. Card handed to me at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum....
Share your oil memories with us, if you have been involved in the oil and gas industries and you have an object a photo or a story you'd like to share please contact us Oilmemories@aagm.co.UK. t. 03000 200 293
JWS

[Fouro]

Re # 8.

Hello Den,
Listening to the Brent Delta radio on that fateful night must have been quite a nail-biting experience for you.

Regards from,
Fouro.

[Fouro]

Re # 2.

A story by Ed Punchard a survivor of the Piper Alpha disaster.
n.b. The "Silver Pit" gets a small mention in this clip.
Click on to html for more info.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/s...escape-5481779

Regards from,
Fouro.