Noia remembers the Ocean Ranger disaster on 40th anniversary
Feb. 15 marks a difficult anniversary in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as 40 years ago, the Ocean Ranger sank during a winter storm offshore.
It was in the early morning hours of Feb. 15, 1982, that the Ocean Ranger semi-submersible drill rig sank on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Labrador, claiming the lives of all 84 crew members on board.
“We remember the 84 men who lost their lives, as well as the family members and friends who lost loved ones on that tragic day,” said Charlene Johnson, CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association (Noia). “While we cannot change what happened that day, we can ensure we keep alive the memories of those 84 men who lost their lives and the people who love them and are forever impacted. It is our responsibility to learn from tragedies like the sinking of the Ocean Ranger and continually strive for innovation in safety practices, in honor of those men and everyone else who works offshore in our harsh environment.”
In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Ocean Ranger tragedy, Noia is pleased to support the Ocean Ranger Memorial Fund for initiatives such as the creation of a new scholarship and a memorial outdoor classroom. Due to COVID-19, the 40th anniversary memorial service will be held virtually for members of the public. The service will commence at 10:45 a.m. on February 15 and can be viewed here.
