Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Friday, March 24, 2023
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    lessons learned

    Lessons learned: Safety warning issued about the hazards of flexible hose installations

    amsa mlc

    HRAS urges the Australian Government to reinforce its national legislative on seafarer welfare

    Multiple boats on fire at Seattle Marina

    Multiple boats on fire at Seattle Marina

    ReCAAP ISCReCAAP ISC One incident

    ReCAAP ISC: One incident of armed robbery 14 – 20 Mar

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Why sleep and mental health go hand-in-hand

    Why sleep and mental health go hand-in-hand

    Life coaching tips: How to maintain a good work-life balance

    Life coaching tips: How to maintain a good work-life balance

    Wabi sabi

    Wabi Sabi: Imperfection makes perfection at work

    sexual abuse

    Sexual abuse at sea: Where we stand

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    K Line adds kite on vessel to lower emissions

    K Line adds kite on vessel to lower emissions

    training maritime decarbonization

    Six companies join forces to build methanol tanker

    ClassNK answers FAQs on the EU-ETS

    ClassNK answers FAQs on the EU-ETS

    EU green shipping

    EU agrees to 2% mandate for green shipping fuels by 2025

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    NAPA: Simulation software aids in predicting CII

    NAPA: Simulation software aids in predicting CII

    Canada, UK join forces for R&D digital project on decarbonization

    Canada, UK join forces for R&D digital project on decarbonization

    technology

    How a joined-up approach to technology drives people performance

    New smart project aims to improve maritime logistics

    New smart project aims to improve maritime logistics

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    australia sea mines

    AMSA imposes 90-day ban on Dutch vessel

    Singapore

    Eco Spark arrested in Singapore

    Liberia

    Liberia: key guidance for machinery space deficiencies

    orange county oil spill fines

    Taiwan’s Wan Hai Lines to pay $950,000 in civil penalties

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    IMO wishes for further extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative

    IMO wishes for further extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative

    Mexican seize cargo port managed by US company

    Mexican seize cargo port managed by US company

    RMI registry flag receives 19th QUALSHIP 21 roster

    RMI registry flag receives 19th QUALSHIP 21 roster

    offshore wind supply chain

    More Norwegian companies invest in offshore wind

  • Columns
    WSC: Minimising accidents is at the top of liner shipping’s agenda

    WSC: Minimising accidents is at the top of liner shipping’s agenda

    technology

    How a joined-up approach to technology drives people performance

    SCMA: Maritime arbitration is expected to rise in prominence

    SCMA: Maritime arbitration is expected to rise in prominence

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    lessons learned

    Lessons learned: Safety warning issued about the hazards of flexible hose installations

    amsa mlc

    HRAS urges the Australian Government to reinforce its national legislative on seafarer welfare

    Multiple boats on fire at Seattle Marina

    Multiple boats on fire at Seattle Marina

    ReCAAP ISCReCAAP ISC One incident

    ReCAAP ISC: One incident of armed robbery 14 – 20 Mar

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Why sleep and mental health go hand-in-hand

    Why sleep and mental health go hand-in-hand

    Life coaching tips: How to maintain a good work-life balance

    Life coaching tips: How to maintain a good work-life balance

    Wabi sabi

    Wabi Sabi: Imperfection makes perfection at work

    sexual abuse

    Sexual abuse at sea: Where we stand

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    K Line adds kite on vessel to lower emissions

    K Line adds kite on vessel to lower emissions

    training maritime decarbonization

    Six companies join forces to build methanol tanker

    ClassNK answers FAQs on the EU-ETS

    ClassNK answers FAQs on the EU-ETS

    EU green shipping

    EU agrees to 2% mandate for green shipping fuels by 2025

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    NAPA: Simulation software aids in predicting CII

    NAPA: Simulation software aids in predicting CII

    Canada, UK join forces for R&D digital project on decarbonization

    Canada, UK join forces for R&D digital project on decarbonization

    technology

    How a joined-up approach to technology drives people performance

    New smart project aims to improve maritime logistics

    New smart project aims to improve maritime logistics

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    australia sea mines

    AMSA imposes 90-day ban on Dutch vessel

    Singapore

    Eco Spark arrested in Singapore

    Liberia

    Liberia: key guidance for machinery space deficiencies

    orange county oil spill fines

    Taiwan’s Wan Hai Lines to pay $950,000 in civil penalties

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    IMO wishes for further extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative

    IMO wishes for further extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative

    Mexican seize cargo port managed by US company

    Mexican seize cargo port managed by US company

    RMI registry flag receives 19th QUALSHIP 21 roster

    RMI registry flag receives 19th QUALSHIP 21 roster

    offshore wind supply chain

    More Norwegian companies invest in offshore wind

  • Columns
    WSC: Minimising accidents is at the top of liner shipping’s agenda

    WSC: Minimising accidents is at the top of liner shipping’s agenda

    technology

    How a joined-up approach to technology drives people performance

    SCMA: Maritime arbitration is expected to rise in prominence

    SCMA: Maritime arbitration is expected to rise in prominence

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

Alexander L. Kielland: Norway’s worst offshore disaster

by The Editorial Team
November 19, 2019
in Accidents, Maritime Knowledge
Alexander L Kielland

The Alexander L Kielland and Edda 2-7C platform

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

As part of its ‘Learn from the past’ series, SAFETY4SEA focuses on the fatal capsizing of the oil platform Alexander L. Kielland in the North Sea, the worst disaster in Norwegian offshore history since World War II. Losing one of its five legs amid a storm, the platform killed 123 people, shocking the local community in Norway and marking as a reminder of how a structure failure can take so many lives.

Accident details: At a glance

  • Type of accident: Capsizing
  • Vessel(s) involved: Alexander L. Kielland (oil platform)
  • Date: 27 March 1980
  • Place: off Norway
  • Fatalities: 123
  • Pollution: No

The incident

RelatedNews

More Norwegian companies invest in offshore wind

IMO, MPA and Norway sign MoU to reduce emissions in developing countries

In the evening hours of 27 March 1980, the semi-submersible oil drilling platform ‘Alexander L. Kielland’ was in the Ekofisk oil field, in the North Sea, offshore Norway, providing offshore accommodation for the production platform Edda 2/7C.

Weather conditions were rainy and there was mist. The wind was gusting to 40 knots with waves up to 12 m high. The rig had just been winched away from the Edda production platform.

At about 6:30 pm, most men were off duty in the accommodation on Alexander L. Kielland, when they felt a ‘sharp crack’ followed by ‘some kind of trembling’, survivors said. Within seconds, the platform tilted between 35 and 40 degrees.

GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!

Lights went out and people rushed outside, but life-saving equipment could not be used due to the heavy listing.

Five of the six anchor cables had broken, the one remaining cable preventing the rig from capsizing. The list continued to increase and at 18:53, the remaining anchor cable snapped, and the rig capsized.

Four lifeboats were launched, but only one managed to release from the lowering cables.

 

Fatalities and injuries

From the 212 people onboard, the 123 were killed in the accident. A total of 89 people survived.

Some of the survivors were saved thanks to the platform’s lifeboats and rafts. Two 12-man rafts were thrown from Edda and rescued 13 people. Seven men were taken from the sea by supply boats and seven swam to Edda.

Probable causes

The investigation report of a Norwegian public commission in March 1980 revealed that a fatigue crack had propagated from the double fillet weld near the hydrophone mounted to the tabular bracing D6.

As a result, the five other tubular bracings connecting to the vertical column D broke off due to overload and the column D became separated from the platform. Consequently, the platform became unbalanced and capsized.

The official accident report concluded that the cause of failure occurred in the following sequence:

  • Fatigue crack growth occurred from pre-existing cracks in the insert fillet welds between a hydrophone support and the brace D-6.
  • Fatigue crack propagation part way around the circumference of the insert, then moving into the brace and around its circumference with brace failure by overload.
  • The subsequent failure of the remaining five braces joining the column D-6 to the rig, by plastic collapse.

Key causes of the rig collapse also included:

  • the poor material properties of the hydrophone tube and poor welding,
  • inadequate design fatigue life of the fillet weld at the hydrophone mount; and
  • the fracturing continued in the early history of the platform causing a redistribution of stresses.

 

Lessons learned

An immediate consequence of the Alexander L. Kielland disaster was the tightening of command organization on offshore installations in the North Sea, identifying a clear authority who would order abandonment in case of emergency.

In response to the Alexander L. Kielland disaster and based on the investigation findings, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate obligated redundancies of stability and structural strength and life-saving equipment for offshore oil drilling platforms.

Meanwhile, the IMO reviewed the MODU Code, strengthening standards for stability, motion characteristics, maneuverability, watertight doors and structural strength of the oil drilling platforms.

On the aftermath, significant attention was given also to the evacuation and rescue operations that had revealed extensive shortcomings. Only one lifeboat was in fact launched successfully, others were smashed against the platform during launching in high waves, while another one was totally unavailable due to listing.

The failure to deploy lifeboats led to new legislation regarding on-load release hooks for lifeboats on oil rigs, (but also warned of accidents that had happened with on-load release gear, as happened at the ALPHA platform, where several were killed.)

Consequently, the IMO issued a requirement for all lifeboats on merchant ships to be fitted with hooks that could be released even when they were under load.

Did you know?

  • Not long after Alexander L. Kielland capsized, its sister rig ‘Henrik Ibsen’ suffered a jammed ballast valve, causing it to list twenty degrees but was later righted again.
  • Approximately 18 months later, Ocean Ranger capsized in similar weather conditions off the Newfoundland coast killing 84 people, but USCG investigation found structural failure was not a factor.
  • MODU Code has been amended several times to address safety of the oil and gas industry, with the most recent amendments including updated design and equipment requirements that derive from the findings of the Deepwater Horizon casualty investigation, which killed 11 people and caused the largest marine oil spill in US history.
  • Back on 31 March 1980, all of Norway stood still for five minutes in a tribute to those lost in the North Sea.
  • Most workers on the platform were from Rogaland. In March 1986, under an initiative led by marine engineer Roger Austin, a large monument was unveiled at Rogaland, which is a missing link to signify the lives lost.

 

LEARN FROM THE PAST: Read in this series

Marine Electric

40 years passed since the SS Marine Electric sinking

February 15, 2023
Lusitania: The maritime disaster that changed World War I

Lusitania: The maritime disaster that changed World War I

September 12, 2022
rms empress of ireland

RMS Empress of Ireland: Remembering Canada’s worst maritime disaster

July 20, 2022
Halifax Harbour: One of the largest human-made explosions caused by ships’ collision

Halifax Harbour: One of the largest human-made explosions caused by ships’ collision

May 10, 2022
Sinking of Doña Paz: The world’s deadliest shipping accident

Sinking of Doña Paz: The world’s deadliest shipping accident

March 8, 2022
Wilhelm Gustloff: A forgotten ‘war loss’ of over 9,000 people

Wilhelm Gustloff: A forgotten ‘war loss’ of over 9,000 people

February 14, 2022
Scandinavian Star ferry

Tampomas II: Remembering Indonesia’s deadly ferry sinking

February 10, 2022
Hoegh Osaka accident is a stark warning accident

Hoegh Osaka: Assessing ship stability must not be neglected

January 10, 2022
MV Derbyshire

MV Derbyshire: Remembering largest British ship ever lost at sea

October 4, 2021
Titanic SOLAS

Remembering Titanic: The tragedy behind SOLAS

April 12, 2021
wakashio

MV Wakashio oil spill: A timeline of events in an environmental disaster

February 11, 2021
princess of the orient

Princess of the Orient: Erroneous maneuvering leads to deadly sinking

December 10, 2019
Achille Lauro

Achille Lauro hijacking: A tragic example of maritime terrorism

December 10, 2019
al salam boccaccio 98

Al-Salam Boccaccio 98: Bad weather, poor emergency procedures and over 1,000 people dead in Red Sea

November 28, 2019
Alexander L Kielland

Alexander L. Kielland: Norway’s worst offshore disaster

November 19, 2019
USS Fitzgerald

USS Fitzgerald deadly collision: Poor seamanship in the spotlight

October 22, 2019
piper alpha

Piper Alpha: The world’s deadliest offshore oil disaster

October 17, 2019
amoco cadiz

Amoco Cadiz oil spill: The largest loss of marine life ever

October 8, 2019
estonia sinking

MS Estonia sinking: One of the deadliest accidents in European waters

October 4, 2019
torrey canyon

Torrey Canyon: The world’s first major oil tanker disaster

October 3, 2019
Sanchi

Sanchi: The world’s worst oil tanker disaster in decades

September 27, 2019
el faro

El Faro sinking: Poor seamanship in the spotlight

September 25, 2019
uss john s mccain

USS John S McCain collision: A prime example of poor oversight

September 23, 2019
bulk jupiter

Bulk Jupiter sinking: A stark reminder of bauxite cargo risks

September 20, 2019
ovit grounding

Ovit grounding: ECDIS incompetence and inexperienced crew in vital positions

June 7, 2019
oliva

MS Oliva grounding: Oil spill in one of the world’s most remote areas

May 27, 2019
Cosco Busan

Cosco Busan: Lack of communication, poor oversight and 53,500 gallons of oil in San Francisco Bay

May 21, 2019
viking islay

Viking Islay enclosed space fatalities: Rescuers becoming victims

May 20, 2019
pasha bulker

Pasha Bulker beaching: A mix of poor SMS, fatigue and bad weather

May 17, 2019
bourbon dolphin

Bourbon Dolphin: A tragic example of ISM non-compliance

May 14, 2019
harvest caroline

Harvest Caroline: A case study on improper safety management

May 10, 2019
cougar ace

Cougar Ace: How improper ballast water exchange can prove costly

May 8, 2019
herald of free enterprise

Herald of Free Enterprise: A wake-up call for Ro-Ro safety

April 25, 2019
MT Haven

MT Haven: The worst oil spill ever in the Mediterranean

April 18, 2019
sewol

Sewol sinking: South Korea’s ferry disaster

April 16, 2019
Moby Prince

Moby Prince: Italy’s worst maritime disaster since World War II

April 10, 2019
Stellar Daisy

Learn from the past: Stellar Daisy sinking

April 1, 2019
Superferry14

Superferry14: The world’s deadliest terrorist attack at sea

February 27, 2019
Scandinavian Star ferry

Ocean Ranger: Commemorating North America’s offshore disaster

February 15, 2019
Marine Electric

Marine Electric: The sinking that changed USCG approach on safety

February 12, 2019
erika oil spill

Learn from the past: Erika oil spill, Europe’s environmental disaster

December 12, 2018
prestige sinking

Learn from the past: Prestige sinking, one of the worst oil spills in Europe

November 13, 2018
salvage of mega box ships

Learn from the past: MV Rena grounding

October 29, 2018
eurasian dream

Maritime History: Fire on board car carrier “Eurasian Dream”

July 23, 2018
princess of the stars

Learn from the past: The Princess of the Seas deadly sinking

June 22, 2018
offshore safety rules

Learn from the past: Deepwater Horizon oil spill

April 20, 2018
Scandinavian Star ferry

Learn from the past: Exxon Valdez incident

March 23, 2018
Scandinavian Star ferry

Learn from the past: Bow Mariner incident

February 28, 2018
Costa Concordia

Maritime history: Costa Concordia disaster

January 13, 2018

 

See here a memorial of the accident:

 

Tags: capsized vesselfatality onboardMaritime HistoryNorth SeaNorwayoil and gas industrysm

Comments 1

  1. Dean Lees says:
    6 months ago

    Seems to me like same old mistakes were made especially when building these platforms.
    Too many good men were lost for incompetent safety procedures,
    No good learning lessons after people are dead.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

lessons learned

Lessons learned: Safety warning issued about the hazards of flexible hose installations

March 23, 2023
IMO wishes for further extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative

IMO wishes for further extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative

March 23, 2023

SEAFiT Poll

What is the biggest obstacle for the social life onboard?

Stay tuned for the results!

MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • Events
  • Plus

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Contact

RISK4SEA Facts

Did you know how many Managers got detentions in Tokyo MoU? 160 managers with Bulk Carriers got detentions during 2020.

Learn more risk4sea.com

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Alerts
    • Accidents
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Opinions
    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Disclaimer.