Globtik Sun; Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico | 1975-Aug-15

Initial Notification: At 0130 on August 15, 1975, the M/V Globtik Sun struck an unmanned Chevron Oil Company oil production platform approximately 100 miles from Galveston while en route from Aruba to Baytown, Texas. The platform, designed for 12 oil wells, was unmanned because it was not yet in operation. Approximately 7,000 barrels of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico after the vessel's port bow tank ruptured. As flames engulfed the vessel, the master gave the order to abandon ship. Forty of forty-six crew members were rescued, three charred bodies were found on board the ship August 17, and three crew members were lost at sea. Weather at the time was mild with clear skies, wind at 10 knots out of the SW, and seas 1-2 feet. Apparently, the ship was on autopilot with the radar turned off when the watch was relieved at midnight. The charts that were in use were not up-to-date and showed no fixed structures on the ship's trackline. When the radar was turned at 0030, nothing was visible. At 0045, the radar revealed an object approximately 9 miles away on the starboard side of the vessel. The Captain of the vessel claimed that he saw no navigational lights on the platform even though a Chevron spokesman said they were functioning properly. The mate failed to plot the object. At 0130, the port bow of the vessel struck the eastern side of the platform, opening up a gash 2 feet wide by the length of the bow tank. The cargo ignited and the fire spread towards 15 drums of lube oil. An emergency call was made and the ship was abandoned while fire and smoke engulfed the forward port section of the ship. Personnel working on other platforms in the area immediately responded to the accident. Six utility boats surrounded the Globtik Sun within 30 minutes. Two Coast Guard cutters and four aircraft arrived on-scene on August 15. The charred vessel was towed by McAllister Towing to Galveston on August 18. The Globtik Sun was later sold for scrap. USCG district 8. Keyword: Fire, collision, salvage, lightering..