Worker Dies after Falling from Maersk Drilling Rig off Norway

A worker has passed away following a fall on Thursday from the Maersk Interceptor jack-up drilling rig, which is currently looking for oil at the Tambar field, Norway.

Another worker sustained injuries in what was described as a “serious incident” by Aker BP.

The worker fell into the sea but was plucked from the water by the crew from the standby vessel.

Both workers are employees of Maersk Drilling, owner of the rig.

“The deceased, a Norwegian citizen and employee of Maersk Drilling, fell into the sea during maintenance work on the rig. The person was picked up from the water by a standby vessel and transported by helicopter to Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen,” Aker said in an update today.

The other worker is not in a critical condition and has been transported to Stavanger University Hospital.

It is unclear how the incident occurred, the company noted, adding that it was working on identifying the cause.

“We will make all resources available in the upcoming investigation,” Chief Executive Officer of Aker BP Karl Johnny Hersvik said.

“We will now continue to focus fully on safeguarding the personnel on board Maersk Interceptor, the personnel on the Ula field and other employees in Aker BP and Maersk Drilling who are affected by this serious incident,” Hersvik added.

The drilling operation on Maersk Interceptor has been secured and production on Tambar has been shut down.

As informed, Aker has mobilized its emergency response organization and is working closely with Maersk Drilling, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and relevant authorities to handle the situation.

Relevant authorities have also been informed of the incident.

The 2014-built jack-up rig was chartered out to Aker BP in October 2014 until December 2027, data from VesselsValue shows.

World Maritime News Staff