Two divers tragically lost their lives to hypothermia due to a malfunction in their life-support equipment. Richard Arthur Walker, 32, and Victor Francis “Skip” Guiel Jr., 28, met their untimely demise during a routine dive in the East Shetland Basin of the North Sea in 1979. The incident, known as the Wildrake diving accident, occurred when the diving bell detached from its main lift at a depth of 520 feet, leaving the divers stranded. They were working on a Single Anchor Leg Mooring (SALM) system used for oil tankers.
Walker’s wife, Jeanne Walker, discovered a chilling entry in his diary hinting at his premonition of death. A structural damage caused by the British National Oil Corporation’s (BNOC) actions led to the incident. Following the tragedy, Infabco was contracted for diving services, and the SALM system was reinstated. The MS Wildrake, owned by Anders Wilhelmsen AS, was equipped with a saturation diving system for decompression.
The fatal turn of events occurred when the divers, having adjusted to the deep sea pressure, found their diving bell detached. The bell remained tethered by the umbilical cord supplying heat, power, communication, and life-sustaining gas. Rescue efforts by the Stena Welder vessel were hindered by lighting issues and lack of a transponder on the Wildrake bell, delaying the rescue.
During the rescue attempt, the crane hook used to lift the bell was too long, causing further complications. Subsequently, the bell got stuck against the SALM base, leading to a failed rescue attempt. Sadly, when rescue divers reached the divers, they were on the brink of death. Despite efforts to save them, Walker and Guiel succumbed to hypothermia.
An investigation revealed multiple safety violations and negligence, prompting legal actions. Walker’s and Guiel’s families filed wrongful death complaints, leading to criminal charges against Infabco Diving Services Ltd. The families received compensatory damages, albeit no amount could make up for their loss. Authorities criticized the contractors’ prioritization of speed over safety, suggesting that the divers might have been saved under different circumstances.
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