Suspension of Husky's offshore platform sends right message

ST. JOHN'S, Jan. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The decision to shut down one of Husky's floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels after it nearly collided with an iceberg last year sends the right message says Unifor which represents workers at two other offshore oil producing installations.

"The SeaRose suspension sends a strong message to other operators that it is simply not acceptable to put 84 workers' lives at risk on a floating platform, bracing for an iceberg less than 500 meters away," said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) suspended operations of the SeaRose FPSO after concluding Husky didn't follow its ice management plan when it failed to disconnected and move away from an approaching iceberg March 29, 2017.

SeaRose's 84 workers were told to brace for impact with nearly 340,000 barrels of crude onboard.

The iceberg did not hit the platform but the close call lead the board to conclude that it "lacks full confidence that appropriate action will be taken by the Operator during an emergency situation."

It's the first suspension since 2004 and will continue until Husky takes corrective actions to satisfy the regulator.

The SeaRose FPSO is located approximately 350 kilometers east of Newfoundland.

Unifor represents 700 workers combined on Exxon's Hibernia offshore gravity based platform, and Suncore's Terra Nova FPSO.

"Unifor has been a vocal and strong advocate of proactive worker safety, and nowhere more so than the offshore oil industry. History shows when we stop being vigilant for one second the consequences are tragic, with workers losing their lives. We commend the CNLOPB for making this important and necessary decision. Safety must come first," said Payne.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor