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Byford Dolphin divers died after sudden decompression in 1983, report says
Summary
A 1983 accident on the Byford Dolphin rig in the North Sea resulted in five deaths and one survivor after a rapid loss of chamber pressure; an official inquiry attributed the incident to human error.
Content
On 5 November 1983 an accident occurred aboard the Byford Dolphin, a semi-submersible drilling rig operating in the North Sea. During a saturation-diving operation, crew chambers reportedly lost pressure very rapidly while a diving bell was moving between compartments. Five men died and one man survived with serious injuries. An official investigation later cited human error as the cause.
Known details:
- The event happened during a saturation-diving operation on the Byford Dolphin in November 1983.
- Reports state a diving bell was released before a chamber was sealed, causing a sudden drop in chamber pressure.
- Five men were reported killed and one survived with severe injuries.
- An official inquiry concluded the deaths were caused by human error; the precise sequence of failures is reported as not fully resolved.
Summary:
The incident prompted an official investigation and drew attention to diving safety procedures. Undetermined at this time.
