Hercules Offshore, Inc. announced today that Hercules Offshore employee Captain Louis Dubois has been awarded a U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award for his actions during the previously reported emergency evacuation of the Mako, a 175′ class liftboat, off the coast of Nigeria as a result of a fire that originated aboard an adjacent third-party rig, the KS Endeavour.
The KS Endeavour rig was operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Limited and was working for Chevron. The blast killed two workers on the rig.
The rig was drilling a natural gas exploration well, located in the Funiwa Field approximately six miles (10 kilometers) offshore and in approximately 40 feet (12 meters) of water. On January 23, seven days after the incident occurred, Chevron said that “no rig structure can be seen above the water” .
“We are exceptionally proud that a member of the Hercules Offshore team has been recognized with such a prestigious award. Captain Dubois’ ability to safely evacuate the vessel under extremely challenging conditions was truly heroic,” said John T. Rynd, Chief Executive Officer and President of Hercules Offshore . “On behalf of everyone at Hercules Offshore, I congratulate Louis and thank him for his actions.”
The Meritorious Public Service Award is one of the highest public honors granted by the U.S. Coast Guard and is given to recognize unusual courage in advancing the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission.
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, July 30, 2012