Image Not Available

Key for Marine Clock from MDU OCEAN ODYSSEY

Date1983-1988

Object NameClock key

Mediumsteel

ClassificationsNorth Sea Oil and Gas Industries

DimensionsMaximum: 47mm

AcquisitionPresented in 2023 by Kathryn Munter.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS095730.2

About MeOCEAN ODYSSEY was built in Japan in 1982 for ODECO as a drilling rig. The rig was subsequently sub-contracted to drill in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf on behalf of ARCO in 1988. In the block 22/30b which contains the high temperature/high pressure Elgin/Franklin field. On 22 September 1988 due to drilling with insufficient mud (used to aid both the flow of drilled debris to surface and to help prevent an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons from the bore) there was a major explosion. This killed Timothy Williams, a radio operator and had just arrived for his first time offshore that day.
At the fatal accident inquiry at Aberdeen it was found that the the OIM (equivalent of captain on a ship) as well as all the senior crew members had abandoned Williams and not ordered him off the platform. The Sherriff was particularly exercised as regards the company attitude (they had 'spirited' all the senior crew out of British jurisdiction and they refused to give evidennce). The whole affair, coming soon after the PIPER ALPHA disaster led to changes in regulation and safety regimes offshore.

The clock was originally installed in the 'mess room' of the OCEAN ODYSSEY when it was commissioned in 1982. It is a standard analogue marine clock that is still in use today in many maritime situations. The clock was made by Chelsea Clock Co. of Boston USA. It was salvaged from the wrecked platform whilst it was being decommissioned in Dundee not long after the fatal blowout.