One Body Found Near Site of Oil Rig Fire

Posted in Gulf Coast,Louisiana Maritime News on November 18, 2012

NEW ORLEANS, La. – One body of the two missing oil rig workers has been recovered Saturday evening at 5:25 p.m. CST in 30 feet of water near the site of the oil rig fire by divers who were contracted by the owner of the oil platform.

Body was found close to the leg of the oil rig platform in about 30 feet of water on Saturday evening Nov 17, 2012, near where the explosion and fire occurred on Friday, Nov 16, 2012.

According to Coast Guard spokesman Carlos Vega the unidentified person was found by divers hired by Houston-based Black Elk Energy who were inspecting the platform. Vega said the Coast Guard was turning over the remains to local authorities.

John Hoffman, the president and CEO of Black Elk Energy, said in an email late Saturday that the body is that of one of two crew members missing since an explosion and fire on the oil platform Friday morning. Hoffman said the body was found by a contracted dive vessel at 5:25 p.m. CST.

Hoffman said the body was found close to the leg of the platform, near where the explosion occurred, in about 30 feet of water. He said the missing men were employees of oilfield contractor Grand Isle Shipyard.

“Divers will continue to search for the second missing worker,” Hoffman wrote. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”

“The search is suspended pending further developments,” the Coast Guard said in a news release Saturday night.

Officials at Baton Rouge General Medical Center said Saturday that two men remained in critical condition, while two men remained in serious condition. The four, being treated in a burn unit, are employees of oilfield contractor Grand Isle Shipyard and are from the Philippines. The hospital said it and Grand Isle Shipyard are trying to reach the men’s families in the Philippines.

Source:
Yahoo News

Posted by Louisiana maritime lawyer, Gordon, Elias & Seely.