Vermillion 380 Oil Rig Explosion

The fire that started as a result of an explosion on the ‘Vermillion 380′ oil rig has been put out and of the total 13 workers present at the site all have been safely rescued, after they jumped into the sea to save themselves. The explosion on the off shore oil rig occurred at 9:30am on Thursday and was reported by a local commercial helicopter company.

The rig is situated nearly 100 miles south of the Vermillion Bay of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil rig platform is built in what is considered as shallow water, which is 340 feet deep. The rig is operated by Mariner Energy, a Houston based company who have been accused by the Federal authorities of 10 similar mishaps in the recent past.

The 13 crew members working at the rig jumped in to the sea after putting on their water survival suits dubbed “gumby suits” due to which they were easily visible in the sea, to their rescuers. They were picked up by the Crystal Clear, which is a commercial ship and were later flown to land by coast guard helicopters. Only one crew member was reported to have been injured in the accident, who was receiving medical attention at the Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma.

Air traffic restriction has been imposed in a radius of 5 nautical miles, over the affected oil rig.

Coast Guard reported seeing oil near the platform, spread, about 100 feet wide and 1 mile long.

Governor Bobby Jindal informed during a news conference that the fire erupted in only one of the total seven active oil wells, at the platform.

The cause of the explosion is not known as yet.