Hibernia’s cracked lifeboat has been cleared to return to duty.
The project reported to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board on Thursday that a crack had been discovered in lifeboat No. 3, where the interior floor connects to a seat.
The lifeboat had to be taken out of service to be assessed, and with the reduced lifeboat capacity on board — from 243 to 228 — 15 personnel were taken off the platform. Eleven were returned to shore while four people were taken to a standby vessel to remain in the field.
But Margot Bruce O’Connell, Hibernia’s manager of public affairs, said this afternoon the crack was determined not to affect the integrity or operability of the lifeboat, so the boat — along with the workers — are being returned to the platform.
“It has nothing to do with the outside integrity of the boat itself,” she said. “It is back in service and we’re returning the workers.”
According to the CNLOPB website, the lifeboat manufacturer has completed a survey of the lifeboat and concluded that the crack is cosmetic and non—structural. The lifeboat can be returned to service.
HMDC will be repairing the crack to address any potential for water ingress or tripping hazard. The repair will be performed using HMDC’s lifeboat maintenance procedures and lifeboat manufacturer's instructions.
HMDC will be returning to the higher persons on board limit.
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A group of workers has been removed from the Hibernia offshore oil platform off Newfoundland and Labrador after a crack was discovered in a lifeboat, the Canadian Press is reporting.
Eleven workers have been returned to shore because of the reduced lifeboat capacity.
Four other employees have been transferred to a standby vessel, but will remain in the field.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board says the lifeboat has been taken out of service and sent for an assessment.
Hibernia is located about 315 kilometres southeast of St. John’s.
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