Brazil FPSO Explosion: Three men still missing

Following an announcement made yesterday that a body of one of four sailors who went missing following last weeks’ Cidade de São Mateus FPSO explosion in Brazil has been recovered, BW Offshore issued a statement with more details. 

BW Offshore has confirmed that one of the four Brazilians that went missing after the explosion of Cidade de São Mateus FPSO was found deceased, bringing the total number of fatalities up to six persons.

The Brazilian crew member found on-board the unit Monday evening (February 16) is being transported to shore and released to his family as soon as possible. The bodies of the four Brazilian crew and one Indian crew have been released to their families.

Three Brazilian crew are still missing.

The search and rescue operations for the three missing personnel is continuing. Five personnel continue to receive medical attention in hospital.

According to BW Offshore, CEO Carl Arnet has met with families of the deceased and also with the families of the missing. He also spent time with crew members, as well as working with Petrobras management on the next steps.

The explosion took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 12:50 local Brazilian time, on Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit Cidade de São Mateus. The unit is operated for Petrobras by BW Offshore on the Camarupim and Camarupim Norte fields in Espirito Santo littoral approximately 120 km from the coast. Of the 74 persons onboard, there have been six fatalities and three crewmen are still missing. Production has been stopped and the unit has been shut down.

BW Offshore CEO Carl Arnet said: “Our hearts go out to the families of the men we have lost. The bodies of five deceased have now been brought ashore and the sixth deceased will be brought ashore as soon as possible. Three of our men are still missing. Five are in hospital receiving medical care. Crew and families are receiving necessary support. Production has been stopped and the unit has been shut down. We are evaluating conditions to establish whether it is safe to continue search and rescue.”

“The BW Offshore team in Brazil is focused on doing what needs to be done. We have now met with the crew and families, and spent time together over the past three days. We have also had time with the client to discuss next steps. Search and rescue operations continue, with special attention to assuring the safety of those involved in the efforts. We are evaluating the unit and initiating plans to reinstate it.”