‘It is therefore important to note that there is no pipe connection mechanism, machinery or equipment whatsoever connected to the section of pipeline under repair, so nothing could have been switched on or activated by Paria, to change the condition of the pipeline while the project was being undertaken by LMCS’
By Sue-Ann Wayow
UNFORTUNATE.
This was how Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited described statements made by LMCS Limited (LMCS) about the at Berth 6 at the Paria facility resulting in the death of four of LMCS’s employees.
LMCS issued a press release on Monday stating that whosoever was responsible for the deaths of Fazal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Yusuf Henry and Kazim Ali Jr must be held accountable and that the company had the resources to carry out rescue efforts but were prevented from doing so by Paria and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited issued a press release shortly and for the first time it gave details about its version of what occurred at Berth 6 on February 25.
It stated that there were many inaccuracies and unjust statements about the tragedy being made in the public domain.
Paria stated, “Unfortunately, the majority of what has been said with respect to the role of Paria, is not only inaccurate but also unjust. It is Paria’s considered view, that it was not appropriate at any time prior, to engage in any discourse which would unnecessarily distract from this tragedy and its impact on the families involved.
“However, given the decision by LMCS to issue what can only be described as an unfortunate release, Paria is now compelled to provide clarity on certain issues.”
Paria said that since June 2021, LMCS has been engaged in the maintenance project with respect to the 30-inch pipeline located at No. 36 Sealine Riser on Berth No. 6 at the Paria facility.
Prior to the commencement of this project, the said pipeline had been inactive even before Paria commenced operations in December 2018 and it would remain inactive until the project was completed.
“It is therefore important to note that there is no pipe connection mechanism, machinery or equipment whatsoever connected to the section of pipeline under repair, so nothing could have been switched on or activated by Paria, to change the condition of the pipeline while the project was being undertaken by LMCS,” Paria stated.
According to Paria, the incident on February 25 occurred around 2.45 pm while five divers were working in LMCS’ hyperbaric chamber and were being monitored by LMCS employees on a nearby barge when a splash was observed within LMCS’s hyperbaric chamber and concurrently, video from the cameras within the chamber ceased operating.
Upon being notified of the incident by LMCS, Paria immediately activated its Incident Management Team. Paria also contacted emergency response organisations, including the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service, Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSH), and the South West Regional Health Authority.
Dive support operators – Mitchell’s Professional Diving Services Company Limited and Offshore Technology Solution Limited – were also contacted. Further assistance was sought from Eastern Divers Company Limited. The external service providers arrived at various times on that evening to assist with the rescue effort.
The Commercial Diver Operations Supervisor from Heritage Petroleum Company Limited was also on site to support the Incident Command Team. Paria was informed by the owner of LMCS, Kazim Ali, that his company would notify the families of its five employees.
As part of its emergency response plan, LMCS launched a search and rescue operation. An LMCS employee entered the hyperbaric chamber and advised that there was no sign of the divers or the dive cylinders. Paria’s marine security supported the search with vessels, focused on the waters surrounding both the LMCS hyperbaric chamber and the pipeline.
Paria stated, “Approximately three hours after the start of the rescue operation, it was reported that a sound was heard from inside the pipeline. Mr Christopher Boodram, one of the five divers, was found in scuba gear as he surfaced at the top of the pipeline within LMCS’s hyperbaric chamber.
“Mr Boodram was pulled out from the top of the pipeline by Mr Michael Kurban, a diver who was assisting LMCS in its operations. Mr Boodram was stabilised and rushed to the hospital for treatment. Paria’s Incident Management Team was informed of Mr Boodram’s rescue at 5.45 pm.”
The release stated, “Paria was advised that Mr Kurban entered the pipeline on more than one occasion in an attempt to locate other divers and was only able to retrieve some diving equipment. No further divers were found. Mr Kurban later contemplated other entries which would have involved him proceeding further into the pipeline.
“It was determined by Paria – and supported by the Coast Guard, the OSH Agency, and external experts – that it was too dangerous for anyone to proceed further into the pipeline without posing significant risk to life. It is important to note that the vertical drop from the hyperbaric chamber to the seabed is approximately 60 feet within a 30” diameter pipe.”
Paria continued, “By way of video footage from a remotely operated camera sent down into the pipeline, it was discovered that at approximately 80 feet, tanks were wedged against the wall of the said pipeline as it ran along the seabed creating an obstruction which prevented the remote camera from proceeding any further and locating any of the divers.”
With respect to the allegation that Paria was uncooperative during the rescue exercise, Paria referred to an LMCS’ contribution to the Paria release of February 27, which stated: “We have been working closely with Paria Fuel Trading Company Ltd (Paria) from the beginning of the incident to reach our divers. The Paria team has been fully supportive throughout this process and continues to provide all its resources to support our efforts, including people, capability and equipment.”
With regard to informing the families of the deceased LMCS divers that the exercise had moved from a rescue to a recovery operation, this was done by Paria’s management on February 26 between the hours of 6 pm to 9 pm.
“Given the complexities and sensitivities associated with this incident, continued misinformation, speculation and wild allegations only serve to further increase the trauma and hurt of all of those involved, which includes the grieving families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, along with those who were involved in the rescue and recovery efforts,” Paria stated.
On February 28, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young announced that there would be an independent investigation into this incident to ascertain the facts and the root cause of the incident.
“Certainly, Paria will provide any and all of the relevant details, documentation and recordings, and participate fully in the process,” the company stated.
Paria added, “We ask that we all await the outcome of the investigations before arriving at any further conclusions.”
The state company expressed its gratitude to all who participated in the very difficult rescue and later, recovery exercise and again extended condolences to the families and colleagues of the divers.
