Diver trapped on Highland dock floor after debris fell from drilling platform

A diver became trapped on the floor of a dock in the Highlands after debris fell from a drilling platform he was working on.

The Noble Resilient was docked at Queens Dock in Invergordon when the diver entered the spudcan, which is the base cone of a mobile-drilling jack-up platform.

While work was being carried out, a large piece of debris fell onto the diver, trapping them on the dock floor. The standby diver had to save his trapped colleague by cutting his umbilical cord, which is a diver’s primary lifeline.

The Health and Safety Executive issued an improvement notice to Caldive Limited, a diving contractor, on December 15 last year following the incident.

The company was deemed to have “failed to plan, manage and conduct” the project in a way “which protected the health and safety of all persons taking part”.

The HSE determined that Caldive made two regulatory breaches.

The notice issued has since been complied with.

Caldive has confirmed that improvements have been made including the use of ROVs

A spokesperson said: “Following the report of an incident where a diver became trapped, HSE Diving Inspectors visited the site where they spoke to the diving team and reviewed the incident and documentation.

“The investigation highlighted issues with the assessment of the diving risks and dive planning. An Improvement Notice was served, and the Company have put measures into place including the use of an ROV, to ensure such an incident does not recur.

“Diving is a hazardous occupation and as such requires careful planning. HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action where required to protect working divers.”

The HSE has been contacted for comment.