Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wondering about the Coast Guard's jurisdiction with commercial diving?
Posted by Peter A. Stinson

Want to learn more about commercial diving and the Coast Guard's oversight and regulation? The latest edition of The Coast Guard Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council: Journal of Safety and Security at Sea has a comprehensive article by LCDR Kevin Ullrich: Commercial Diving: The U.S. Coast Guard's jurisdiction.

I'm sure we'll have analysis and comment here later this week.

In the mean time, surf on over and have a read for yourself.

Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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Labels: by Peter Stinson, commercial diving

Sunday, March 23, 2008

More information about the DSV Jillian Morrison accident
Posted by Peter A. Stinson

We've posted here before about the accident on the DSV Jillian Morrison. I'd wondered how such an accident could happen. One of our loyal readers has what they believe is the answer:

Well, this is what happened: They were pushing a pig through the line and catching the residue via a tote tank that was on the back deck. This became full. Then somebody got the bright idea to put the rest into the ship's waste oil tank. Rumor has it the office was called to get approval. Approval was given and the operation continued. The rest is history.

If this is true, it explains why the company was so quick to attempt to minimize their financial exposure. This accident was caused by human factors... and the home office played a role.

There will, I'm sure, be more to this story. I hope those officials who are investigating this accident get the truth and are not stonewalled by company officials and employees who have been threatened by company officials.

Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2008
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Labels: by Peter Stinson, commercial diving

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

About the explosion aboard the DSV Jillian Morrison
Posted by Peter A. Stinson

I've been giving some thought to the tragedy aboard the DSV Jillian Morrison last week, and I'm smelling something awful ripe.

In Offshore Shipping Online, we learn,

According to Chet Morrison, CEO of Chet Morrison Contractors, the explosion apparently occurred in the engine room of the 150ft DSV Jillian Morrison.

The vessel was anchored at the time of the blast, Morrison said, and no divers were in the water. "They were in the field as part of routine connection work associated with some part of the pipeline," Morrison said.

In an article from Reuters, we read,

A natural gas explosion injured six crew members of a pipeline maintenance vessel off the coast of Louisiana and left one person missing, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday.

The explosion occurred late Tuesday while the Motor Vessel Jillian Morrison was clearing the gas from a shut section of a pipeline owned by ANR Pipeline Co into a tank towed behind the vessel, said Petty Officer James Harless, a Coast Guard spokesman.

If we assume that both stories are accurate (and, I realize that is a bit rash of me), how did the explosion, caused by natural gas, happen in the engine room? Was there natural gas in the engine room? Wouldn't the explosion have happened in the tank that was behind the vessel?

Something doesn't make sense... something is rotten in Denmark.

Posted on Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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Labels: by Peter Stinson, commercial diving

Friday, March 14, 2008

DSV Jillian Morrison Tragedy
Posted by Mike

Here is a glimpse into the dangers faced by Commercial Divers every day, and the associated antics that the companies in the Gulf of Mexico play whenever something horrible happens.

From Off Shore Diver, a forum for commercial divers, we learn,

On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 3:17 pm, within 24 hours of the explosion aboard the M/V Jillian Morrison, attorneys for Jillian Morrison, LLC, Chet Morrison Diving, LLC, Chet Morrison Contractors, Inc. and Chet Morrison Services, LLC filed a COMPLAINT FOR EXONERATION FROM OF LIMITATION OF LIABILITY in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans (file number 08-1255).

In the filing Chet Morrison, et al in parts prays for relief that "only if (CHET MORRISON, et al) be adjudged liable, that such liability on the part of [CHET MORRISON, et al] for the loss of life, bodily injury, property damages or other loss or damage as a result of consequence of said incident be limited to the amount for value of [CHET MORRISON's et al] interest in the M/V JILLIAN MORRISON....

Attached to pleadings for relief is an affidavit signed by Mr. Leroy Guidry stating that the value of the M/V JILLIAN MORRISON is "less than $1,000,000." Additionally, a NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF COMPLAINANT FOR EXONERATION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY was filed concurrently.

Noted Bobby Delise, an attorney specializing in admiralty (or maritime) law, also at the forum,

Under maritime law a vessel owner may attempt to limit liability and enjoin prosecution of any pending actions or yet to be filed actions. There are exemptions and reasons to deny the request by CHET MORRISON. I will follow up if so asked to address this complicated legal issue. I have always stated that knowing the law empowers those who are benefited by the law.

I asked CHET MORRISON for an explanation why this was filed so early in this tragedy. I have kept off this forum during this crisis. I can't sit by idle.

This case illustrates how fast these companies engage their attorneys. While the rest of us, including the Coast Guard are still picking up the pieces and trying to figure out what just happened, the companies in this particular maritime environment work magic behind the scenes to ensure that nobody ends up paying a price because they are protected by stupid, antiquated laws that are on the books, and a Coast Guard who has no idea how to regulate them!

I just wanted to bring this subject up again. This is a real live case; the CG is on the scene, the accident just happened on Tuesday night, March 11. I would challenge each of you to track the prosecution of this case and watch how the company ends up finagling to ensure it bears no liability - now here is the rest of the story...

Those that were injured or end up dead (God forbid) will spend the next several years in and out of medical facilities trying to recover from their injuries, and they will spend the rest of their time tied up in a legal system that ultimately will rule against them. The company will get a replacement for the vessel; they will then hire a new dive crew and they will be back in business, as for those who were medivac'd, they're hosed.

How do I know this? Three divers from my son's dive crew ended up permanently brain damaged with CO poisoning from inexperienced leaders trying to handle his case. Two divers from his crew have tried suicide at least twice. All but two out of a crew of 10 (if I remember correctly) have quit the diving business. All of them are still in the legal system and have found no resolution, while the CG drags through an investigation that they may never really solve...

This really isn't science fiction, its real! MM

Posted on Friday, March 14, 2008
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Labels: by Michael McGrath, commercial diving