CG probing Auger off-shore deaths

Rear Adm. John Nadeau, who just recently took command of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans, convened a formal investigation last week involving the June 30 death of two crewmembers of the Auger offshore production facility located about 210 miles SW of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico. The Auger crew was testing the facility’s lifeboat recovery system when a malfunction occurred resulting in the loss of lives. “The Coast Guard is committed to finding the facts that led to this tragedy,” said Nadeau. “Our intent is to ensure the safety and security of the personnel who work on these facilities and to reduce the likelihood that any similar incidents could occur in the future.” The CG’s Eighth District is responsible for ensuring that firefighting, life-saving and stability systems are operational onboard oil production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. (Source: Marine Link 07/30/19) Back in 1994, Auger was the world’s first tension leg platform, operating in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Shell’s website, which also called it a “true deep-water pioneer, it was the first to float in water, moored to the sea floor (2,720 feet) below.”