Oil Platform on Fire in Gulf of Mexico | The Jackal

7 Mar 2011

Oil Platform on Fire in Gulf of Mexico

07/03/11 U.S. Coast Guard officials confirm two people were rescued after an oil production platform caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday. The platform is located about 50 miles south of Grand Isle.

CBS Affiliate WWL reports a Good Samaritan vessel rescued the two workers, according to officials.

The Coast Guard said it responded with multiple air and sea assets, including an MH65-C rescue helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, who hoisted the two men from the deck of a good Samaritan vessel, the HOS Stormridge (a supply vessel from the Hornbeck Offshore Support group), after they were recovered from a life capsule they used to escape from the fire on board the GI 102A oil production platform.

I wonder how much that cost the American Tax payer?

The two were believed to be the only people on board the platform.

A spokesperson for West Jefferson Medical Center said the two men did not suffer any injuries and walked out of the hospital on their own.

Arena, the rig's owner, reports the platform had been shut two weeks ago and was not producing product at the time of the incident.

Bureau of Oceans and Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement has personnel en route to verify the status of the wells and the platform, as well as investigate the cause of the fire.