Offshore structures are susceptible to numerous risks—fires, blow-outs and explosions. On this day in 1980 a Norwegian oil platform in the North Sea was taken down by gusting 55-knot winds, 25-foot high waves and welding fatigue.

The Alexander L. Kielland was an accommodation rig moored at the Edda platform in the Ekofisk natural gas and oil field situated halfway between Norway and the U.K.

At roughly 6:30pm, 212 oil workers were in the floating dormitory, with most either in the mess hall or in the cinema. Suddenly, there was a sharp, crackling sound. The rig quickly listed more than 30 degrees. It stabilized momentarily, but within 20 minutes, the entire platform flipped over, capsizing into the icy sea.

There was a bridge between the Alexander L. Kielland and the Edda platform, but because of the bad weather, that bridge had been raised. So when the rig began to list, some workers jumped into the water and swam over to the Edda platform. Others struggled to launch the lifeboats. But despite having seven 50-man lifeboats and enough inflatable life rafts for 400 people, only two lifeboats made it to the water; the remaining were smashed while being lowered. As for the inflatable life rafts, nobody could find the release mechanism. Nor did most of the workers have time to get their lifejackets.

The rescue response was quick and the operation consisted of:

• 7 aircraft;
• 19 helicopters;
• 9 naval ships; and
• 71 civilian vessels.

However, despite all the assistance, rescuers—and those they were trying to rescue—were battling darkness, fog, high winds and waves, a strong current and sea temperatures of 4C. Only 89 men survived. The collapse of the Alexander L. Kielland was the worst disaster in Norway’s offshore history, with 123 workers dead.

The investigative report determined that the structure’s collapse was caused by a fatigue failure in one of the platform’s six bracings.

As a result of the disaster, all floating installations were called to land by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate for inspection, and new regulations were implemented, including more stringent structural requirements for rigs, improved release mechanisms for lifeboats, mandatory safety courses and the issuance of survival suits to all offshore workers.

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