SEA QUEST

Semi-submersible drilling rig, 7500 tons, built at Harland & Wolff, Belfast and launched 7 January 1967. Used for North Sea drilling exploration until 1977. Rig later used off Nigeria where it suffered a blow out and fire and was subsequently scuttled.

The first British find (effectively) was made in late 1969, by Amoco, 120 miles East of Aberdeen. The crew of the rig Sea Quest was so unprepared for oil that samples had to be flown ashore in a pickle jar raided from the galley.

Unfortunately, the Arbroath find was too small to be commercial at that time, they made the grade in 1982.