Remembering the Ocean Ranger

On February 15, 1982, the semi-submersible offshore drilling unit Ocean Ranger capsized and sank in the North Atlantic Ocean during a powerful winter storm off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, resulting in the deaths of all 84 crew members on board.

The rig was described at the time as one of the largest rigs of its kind, had been exploring for oil on the Grand Banks for Mobil Oil of Canada Ltd. when conditions rapidly deteriorated.

Weather reports on February 14 warned of an intensifying storm with hurricane-force winds and waves reaching more than 10–15 metres high. Despite preparations to ride out the storm, seawater was forced through a window in the rig’s ballast control room, damaging critical stability systems.

In the early hours of February 15, the rig began listing and sent out a mayday call. Communication continued until about 1:30 a.m. local time, when the final message was sent as crew members attempted to reach lifeboat stations. Within about three hours, the Ocean Ranger capsized and sank.