Close call for BP pipeline in Shetland

On 21 January, the Majestic fishing boat sunk off the coast of Shetland, after its engine room flooded a few miles away from Yell.

A report published on 27 July stated that the engine room has been flooding for approximately one hour before the crew were aware and abandoned ship, as they did not hear the alarm.

Now, it has also come to light that as the Majestic was sinking, it had moved towards the Orka Voe gas pipeline, owned by BP. The vessel then settled at the bottom of the seabed after four and a half hours. The vessel was 2 m (7 ft) away from the pipeline.

While the coastguard believed towing the Majestic would be an option, its skipper deemed it to be too dangerous, as it could have potentially struck the pipeline in the process.

However, an underwater drone was implemented as the Majestic gradually fell towards the pipeline. The sandbags were used to prop up and support the vessel from collapsing.

Edited from various sources by Stephanie Roker

Sources: STV News, The Press and Journal, BBC, Daily Record

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/28072016/close-call-for-bp-pipeline-in-shetland/