AFCONS INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
AFCONS INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
May 20, 2021: Warning received on the cyclone alert
Published weather reports including cyclone alerts are for general region of operation and not particularly relevant for any exact area of operation. A standard practise of offshore contractors is to obtain weather forecast for the work location from well-known weather forecasters, which are typically issued twice a day, and provide weather forecasts for next seven days. Marine as well as construction operations are planned based on the above location-specific forecasts. The same practice was followed by Afcons.
The weather forecasts received on 14th May 2021 from the service provider predicted that sustained wind speed of maximum 40 knots (classified as a “Tropical Storm” by our service provider) is likely to occur at our specific work location late 16th / early 17th May 2021.
Preventive and precautionary measures taken after receiving the alert
On 14th May 2021 itself, all our vessels were advised to secure their respective work locations and move to safe location at the earliest. Accordingly, all vessels and barges, including P305, commenced moving out of their work locations on 14th / 15th May 2021.
While the other barges moved to Mumbai Port / Mumbai Outer Anchorage / Anchorage close to Revandanda, the Master of P305 chose to move 200 m away from the HT platform where the Barge P305 was working, and to remain at that location, deciding this as a safe location since the max predicted wind speed was only 40 Knots and his location was 120 NM away from the eye of the tropical storm.
Unfortunately, the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly from the evening of 16th May 2021, reaching levels far worse than predicted on the 17th May 2021. The sudden deterioration of weather left no time at all for any further action to be taken by the Master of the vessel.
As per the normal marine protocol, as well as the specific charter agreement for P305, matters concerning vessel safety lie under the responsibility of the Owner / Barge Master, who is in the best position to decide on the appropriate course of action regarding vessel safety, as he has the necessary skill sets as well as the understanding of his vessel and its equipment, under the prevailing local conditions.
Roles and responsibilities to secure the vessels and bringing the people onboard to the shore
Afcons chartered the vessel from Durmast. Charting is not same as subcontracting. Durmast is the owner and the responsibility for marine operations rests with the vessel owner and his marine crew stationed on the vessel. Afcons, as charterer deploys its construction workmen and supervisors, who stay on the barge and carry out construction/ revamp work on the platform.
As per the international standard vessel chartering terms which was adopted for the charter of P305, the responsibility for the marine side of the operations namely safe vessel operation, navigation and vessel management come under the scope of work of the vessel owners, carried out through the vessel’s master, officers, and the crew appointed on the vessel by the owner.
Reason for not evacuating people on the barges post the alert
Evacuation of the vessel is an extreme step only resorted to in case the vessel is in distress.
Employees that were on board the barges
· Papaa 305 – Total 261 personnel were on board out of which 13 are Afcons employees
· SS-3 – Total 202 personnel were on board out of which 8 are Afcons employees
· Gal Constructor – Total 137 personnel were on board out of which 8 are Afcons employees
· Trinity Nissie – Total 268 personnel were on board out of which 7 are Afcons employees
· Falcon Warrior – Total 203 personnel were on board out of which 6 are Afcons employees
· Ocean 303 – Total 170 personnel were on board out which 8 are Afcons employees
Still missing
Till the afternoon of May 19th, 186 of 261 people on board Pappa 305 were reported rescued. At this point, search and rescue operations are our main objective. We are coordinating with ONGC, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard to locate the missing personnel through continuing search operations.
Communication with anxious families
A 24-hour helpdesk has been set up to address concern of all distressed family members in a transparent manner. We have shared the helpdesk numbers with all stakeholders. Regular updates are shared with family members as and when received from the authorities.
Employee initiatives undertaken
Afcons and the consortium is committed towards the safety and well-being of its workforce. While our immediate focus is to locate and rescue the missing people, we’re fully committed to stand in this crisis together and offer our full support to the families, including financial assistance.
Consortium partners
Triune Energy Services (TES), Nauvata Engineering and Halani Internationa
Comments
Post a Comment