Coast Guard Responds to Noble Globetrotter II

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard responds Wednesday to a vessel that reportedly sustained damage during Hurricane Ida.

During the storm, we received a report that the vessel had sustained damage. Members of the Coast Guard’s Eighth District Outer Continental Shelf division have been in contact with both the master of the Noble Globetrotter II and Noble Corporation since Sunday to determine the extent of any damage, and to ensure that the crew’s lifesaving equipment is functional and available in the event of an emergency.

Related Article; U.S. Safety Agency Blames Deepwater Drillship Accident on Decision to Ride Out Hurricane

Throughout all of the communications between the U.S. licensed master of the vessel and the Coast Guard, the master has maintained that the vessel was not in distress and not actively taking on water.  Information released on social media, reportedly from the crew of the Noble Globetrotter II, indicates potential issues with safety, including possible damage to the hull.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Coast Guard launched a helicopter aircrew from Air Station New Orleans to conduct an overflight of the vessel and has diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous to the scene.

The vessel and the company are developing a plan to bring the vessel into port for repairs. The Coast Guard will maintain communications with the master of the vessel until it arrives in port.

The vessel and crew are currently located 80 nautical miles south, southeast of Grand Isle, La., in the Gulf of Mexico.

Noble Corporation has made the following statement;

Aug. 29, 2021 — Noble Corporation today announced that all personnel onboard the Pacific Sharav, Noble Globetrotter I, and Noble Globetrotter II ultra-deepwater drillships in the US Gulf of Mexico are safe and accounted for following Hurricane Ida.  Each rig successfully secured its respective well in progress and took evasive actions to avoid the storm’s path.  Of the three, the Noble Globetrotter II is the only vessel that encountered hurricane-force conditions.  The vessel maintained stability throughout the weather event and is operating on its own power with functional marine and safety systems.  A full assessment of its condition will be completed as soon as the weather clears.

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-USCG-

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