Two divers tragically lost their lives to hypothermia after a mechanical failure jeopardized their survival. Richard Arthur Walker, aged 32, and Victor Francis “Skip” Guiel Jr., aged 28, met their untimely demise during a routine dive in the East Shetland Basin of the North Sea in 1979. The incident, known as the Wildrake diving accident, unfolded when the diving bell detached from its main lift at a depth of 520 feet, leaving the divers stranded. They were conducting operations on a Single Anchor Leg Mooring (SALM) system, which served as a facility for oil tankers.
Walker’s ominous premonition was revealed through his diary, where he expressed uncertainty about his survival. The catastrophic event was triggered by structural damage caused when the British National Oil Corporation (BNOC) released a faulty buoy, affecting the riser. Subsequently, Infabco was contracted for diving services, and the SALM system was reinstated. The MS Wildrake, a vessel equipped with a saturation diving system for decompression, was owned by Anders Wilhelmsen AS.
After adjusting to the deep-sea pressure, the divers realized their diving bell had disengaged from the lift, leaving them reliant on the umbilical cord for essential supplies. Despite rescue efforts by the diving vessel Stena Welder, challenges arose due to lighting issues and the lack of a functional transponder on the Wildrake bell.
During the rescue operation, Walker and Guiel displayed signs of distress, with the situation escalating as the crane failed to properly lift the bell, resulting in a critical error. Tragically, when rescue divers reached the divers, they found one of them had attempted to free the bell but was unsuccessful. Ultimately, Walker and Guiel succumbed to hypothermia within the Wildrake saturation system.
Following investigations, safety violations and negligence were uncovered, leading to legal action against Infabco Diving Services Ltd. The families of Walker and Guiel pursued a wrongful death complaint, with Infabco facing criminal charges. In a gesture of compensation, the United States District Court in Los Angeles awarded damages to the bereaved families.
The Department of Energy’s inspector highlighted safety lapses, emphasizing the need for stringent adherence to safety protocols. The tragedy underscored the importance of prioritizing safety over expedience in high-risk operations to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.