Trinity II Abandoned in Bay of Campeche

[nv5l]

The Trinity II was abandoned yesterday at around noon just off the coast of Tabasco in the Bay of Campeche. The crew of 10 got in a life raft and haven't been seen since. The, boat however, is still afloat and being tracked.

Not judging, but why would they abandon a boat that wasn't sinking?

[Target9000]

Maybe they believed it was? That is hard to understand. Was there communication before the abandon ship?

[atoll]

if you have to,step upwards to the liferaft...........

[Target9000]

I found this:

"The Trinity II liftboat’s work contingent and crew evacuated the vessel amid deteriorating meteorological conditions and reports that fissures were detected in the jacking legs of the liftboat. One of the jacking legs is reported to have buckled, and the vessel was listing. It is not clear if the liftboat is partially submerged."

Trinity II crew search drags on - Upstream Online

[Astrid]

Oil workers missing off stormy Mexico coast - BostonHerald.com

[atoll]

reading the article sounds like the 10 guys are in a self contained lifeboat rather than a life raft,should be fine once the weather clears and they can hail a ship.

though with 50 knot winds it may be a bit rolly out there

[nv5l]

Sure hope so. The brother-in-law of one of them called the MMSN earlier looking for info.

[Dale]

If you have to abandon ship, why would you not tie a 100' line to the boat & raft? If the boat continues to float would it not be the best way to be discovered from the air- or for survival?

Or is the wild swamping ocean too dangerous and you want to be free of the "sinking" vessel?

[osirissail]

Interesting but rather stretching the definition of "Cruising Boats and Cruising People." I don't think that kind of vessel is anywhere remotely related to a cruising boat.

[nv5l]

You're probably right. Cruisers would never abandon a boat during a hurricane and get in a lifeboat. What was I thinking? ;-)

Still hope they're okay.

[osirissail]

That was not my point. I have seen these boats. They have 100ft or more high steel poles/pilings that are lowered down to the sea floor and then the boat lifts off the water to work on oil/gas rigs. When the poles/piles are in the up position the boats are marginally stable and in rough waters constantly in danger of turning turtle.
- - Obviously not the place to be in big waves so taking to the lifeboat was logical. However few if any cruising boats have such a dramatic configuration so discussing whether a stay or leave decision is not in anyway comparable to anything in the cruising world.

[Blue Stocking]

I knew a guy who worked on one of these boats. Said in a moderate blow, they would look for enough depth of water, where they could partially lower the spuds to increase stabilty. But because the hulls are relatively shallow, without much volumetric bouyancy, they would not risk large breaking seas on deck.

May have been their thinking. Hope they are safe.

[zeehag]

dont care if cruisers or not--are human and in the water in a bad place and time. i hope they are ok and found soon.

[Dale]

2 dead, 1 missing, and 7 rescued according to CNN:

Rescuers find 7 missing oil workers alive in the Gulf of Mexico - CNN.com

[Astrid]

Sad there has been loss of life.