Dayang Topaz: Crew Jump Overboard After Vessel Hits Platform in Malaysia

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said 125 crew members jumped overboard after the accident. Image courtesy Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Reuters) – Two crew of a Malaysian offshore support vessel died on Tuesday after their ship hit a rig operated by state oil firm Petronas off the state of Sarawak on Borneo island.

The Dayang Topaz rammed into the Baram B oil platform after its anchor cable broke in bad weather, Petronas and marine authorities said in separate statements.

RELATED BOOK: Into the Raging Sea: Thirty-Three Mariners, One Megastorm, and the Sinking of the El Faro by Rachel Slade 

The ship was carrying 187 crew, 125 of whom jumped into the sea when the accident happened, about 7.7 nautical miles (14.3 km) offshore, marine authorities said. Two died but the rest were rescued.

Malaysia’s marine department said the extent of the damage caused had yet to be determined but no marine pollution had been detected.

MRCC Putrajaya terima panggilan kecemasan drpd Kapal Sapura Construction pd 6:45 pg td melaporkan kapal platform Dayang Topaz alami kecemasan di perairan Miri. MRCC Putrajaya aktifkan SAR. 125 kru tlh terjun laut manakala 62 lg masih atas kapal.@KDNPUTRAJAYA@MYCoastGuard pic.twitter.com/j2mvUE3gKb

— Mohd Zubil Mat Som (@KPMaritimMsia) October 27, 2020

The Baram B platform is operated by Petronas Carigali, the oil exploration unit of state oil firm Petronas.

In a statement, Petronas said the incident was being investigated.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Martin Petty and Clarence Fernandez) (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020.

Update: A statement from Petronas is below: 

PETRONAS regrets to inform that an incident involving a vessel which made contact with platform structures occurred at the Baram field, 14 nautical miles off Miri at 6.23 am on 27 October 2020. The vessel, MV Dayang Topaz, owned by DESB Marine Services Sdn Bhd was undertaking operational work at the Baram platform for PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB), when it made contact with the platforms after its anchor wire gave way during adverse weather.

There were 187 personnel on board at the time of the incident. As a result of the incident, 125 personnel jumped overboard. The affected personnel were eventually rescued by the emergency responders and evacuated to Miri. However, 2 fatalities were reported.

PETRONAS is deeply saddened by the incident and we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

An investigation is currently underway and all relevant authorities have been informed of the incident. Our utmost priority is the safety of all personnel involved.

At the same time, we will continue to ensure reliable gas supply to consumers in the event of any gas supply interruptions.

Update: MV Dayang Topaz at Miri Anchorage. pic.twitter.com/VoRwdGQLof

— Azzraai (@faizRzxr) October 27, 2020

RELATED BOOK: Into the Raging Sea: Thirty-Three Mariners, One Megastorm, and the Sinking of the El Faro by Rachel Slade