Diver Explains: Roxanne DLB269 Disaster

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video and would like to watch more videos from this channel without any ads, consider joining our Patreon. The link is in the description. You can join for free or select a membership with benefits ranging from ad free videos through to early access and live q and a calls. I look forward to meeting you there. www.patreon.com/WaterlineStories

[@jamesparks1430]

Lee Lloyd replaced me on the DB 269 after I wrote an extensive 2 page letter detailing the non-compliance letter concerning the diving equipment, including the Saturation system that was onboard. This document was given to Chuck Roundtree, the Diving Superintendent, and forwarded to the main office of McDermott Divers in Bayou Black, LA. They intern relieved me of my 90 day commitment the next day and replaced me with Lee Lloyd or I would have been on that vessel for that ordeal. The main divers onboard the DB 269 we’re all from a company just recently bought out by McDermott, and I was sent down to the DB 269 to give it a look over by Pat Behling, the then General Diving Manager of McDermott Divers. It was more than evident that the Diving Systems onboard the DB 269 would have never passed a U.S. Coast Guard inspection, and the reason it was only working in Mexico. The report I presented to Chuck Roundtree included details on their non-compliance to both the U.S. Coast Guard and McDermott’s own Diving Safety Manual, of which I was provided by O.P. Chavin during collection of information. The DB 269 was in such bad shape that the metal structure outer walls surrounding the Saturation System could be pierced with a human finger, they were that thin. I showed this to Chuck Roundtree during my survey, just to indicate how bad the general condition was. This vessel should have never been exposed to a major storm much less a hurricane. Those divers who stayed on that vessel knew the conditions concerning that vessel and the Saturation System, and decided to ignore those conditions. They all knew about my document and the reason for my departure and chose to ignore the writing on the wall.

[@waterlinestories]

That’s incredible. It doesn’t surprise me though. It’s of course very difficult to find that kind of information when researching a story like this. A document buried so far down it’ll never see the light of day. I have no doubt if it ever surfaced that the response would be that the diving system has nothing to do with the sinking. But it’s not a far leap to say the entire vessel would have been in a similar state. Makes you wonder though how far up the food chain the decision goes to keep an aging vessel in a hurricane so you can take it up with your insurance. Thanks for adding that info. Well done for speaking up at the time even though it fell on deaf ears.

[@Grognarthebarb]

People had to have known the things like this about the db29 like. Oh we know we don't have a saturation life boat but sure let's go work during Storm season any way

[@waterlinestories]

@@Grognarthebarb Small industry. Say no, dont get hired again.

[@josephvanas6352]

@@waterlinestories yes and no, I work in a relatively small yet high risk industry and even the bad pennies turn up again. Its a double edged sword when in that type of industry. They might try and black ball you but give it a few months, when they are desperate for staffing, behind schedule, and over budget past disagreements get buried pretty quick so long as you are not a total moron and disagreements remained civil.

[@waterlinestories]

Hey. Ive had a number of people email me and ask me to cover Chris Lemon. Ill do the story because its entered the zeitgeist but I wanted to ask around and see if there is any information or an angle that would be more interesting than 'By the Grace of God'. I dont want to do a copy and paste style video. Do you have any opinions? If so, could you email me [e-mail]

[@fuffoon]

The Algorithm has decided that I'm going to learn about maritime, diving and associated disasters this month.

[@Skeptic-Professor]

That makes two of us then. Hope you enjoyed. I will let you know 😉

[@ariannahernandez4745]

I'm glad he explained it that feeling of "boredom" in a hurricane. Living on the gulf and being in multiple cat 2 and 3 and one cat 4, i remember one of the worst feelings was being in that moment of fear before an accident for hours at a time bc that accident didnt happen. I was waiting for the roof to rip off or the windows to shatter or the water to get past the sand bags.

[@chowjappa6470]

Only land based here. But I have been through so many bad hurricanes. Feel it's more fluff than puff. Though I will admit me and my father have built most of our homes and being cheap wasn't a concern. Being safe was. So our houses were higher up and had more safety ties and features. Alot of ppl forget that most of these stories are old rust buckets that were cheap from the start. Taking care of things goes along way.

[@TWEAKLET]

@@chowjappa6470 its the shorelines that take the real beating maybe look up pictures on shorelines after big hurricanes and you will understand i grew up in florida none of the hurricanes felt that bad for me because i was always at least 50 miles from the shore not only does the shore take the brunt of the wind it also gets flooded from the wind pushing the ocean into the the beachfront and can get between 3 to 25 feet high hurricanes require water to sustain them that's why they start to die when they hit landfall and tend to follow the shoreline you haven't truly been hit by a hurricane until most your neighbors houses are piles of trash and if you happened to have built strong than normal yours is mostly untouched

[@Dan-oe3my]

My uncle was a diving instructor working off the coast of Angola and said they quite regularly had shells fired towards them. I can't imagine how scary it must be to be in decompression in those circumstances

[@nadapenny8592]

Agree, I can't relate with boredom as a hurricane factor. If it's a dangerous one, you're in fight or flight for hours on end. If it's not dangerous, it's still exciting to watch.

[@briancalliari4421]

I've had the pleasure of working with Clay Horchell and Rob Boettger over the years. Heard their stories first hand about this incident and the heroic efforts they went to to survive. At one point, I believe Clay gave up his spot in a life boat to another injured crew member. He clung to the side of the life boat until they were eventually rescued by another larger vessel. The photo at the end of the video shows Clay (standing 3rd from left with mustache) and Rob (kneeling 3rd from left in white t-shirt).

[@waterlinestories]

Very interesting. This is one of the best parts about making these videos, getting to hear from people who are just a little bit closer than I am. Thanks for sharing

[@norml.hugh-mann]

Most were picked out the water by either the barges tug or their supply vessel...some even clung to the crane sticking out the water I worked with one of the sat techs (Ray) on either thr American Constitution or Seaway Defender in 2002 @ Stolt Offshore (dive company, can't remember which ships system he worked on when I met him) They DID suffer residual DCI....dint know wtf the narrator is talking about when he said they didnt....it was life over limb situation, and they just had no other option but deal with the symptoms . A great example of companies putting dollars over divers.

[@ChefRu805]

That blows me away that someone could be at sea for years and never take the time to learn to swim. That is so sad, i cant imagine how he felt in those moments.

[@foxglovesbouquet2905]

?: Actually knew someone that wanted to work on ferries that did not know how to swim, even a little. Even seemed scared of the water. Then again, you really only need to know how to float, and this thing we were on involved a boat trip and the required training to go on it. Hopefully he learned a little, or at least some confidence on the water.

[@jonslg240]

*WOW* I have NEVER seen a diving chamber with as many rocket engines as the one in this videos thumbnail.

[@jonslg240]

@@foxglovesbouquet2905 so are you saying it doesn't blow you away that the person you just mentioned didn't know how to swim or float? Because it seems like it's occupied a permanent space in your mind.. Just imagine becoming a motorcycle taxi driver without knowing even the basics about driving on the road.. Or a skydiver who has no idea how to keep themselves upright when falling towards the ground before parachute deployment. If you went skydiving with a parachute but didn't know how to keep yourself belly towards the ground, chances are you'd die, because parachutes aren't these magical devices that work no matter what position you're in. You have to be flying belly towards the ground and NOT spinning, or else it most likely is going to get tangled around your body when you deploy it, or if you're spinning the chut's risers are going to be spun/tangled up causing your chute not to fully deploy

[@ChefRu805]

@@Zzrdemon6633 oh for sure as humans we're fucked out there lol the ocean doesn't play

[@animula6908]

It’s not a pool, so swimming isn’t a real survival strategy against the sea. You are not going to survive any length of time by knowing how to swim in oceans. It’s a hostile environment to human life in bigger ways than people remember. You cannot live there, swimming or not.

[@dracorex426]

You know what causes a major delay? A sunken barge.

[@waterlinestories]

Yes but it's easier to organise an insurance claim than manage 150 people.

[@neilfoster814]

A few years ago, I spent 12 hours on a 40ft launch in a Force 8 storm. You are right what you say about it seeming never ending. You hope and pray that the next wave doesn't capsize you, and you wish the boat would stop heaving, pitching and rolling as you struggle to keep your footing and not get swept overboard. Never have I been so glad to see the huge lock gates of the sea port and calm water.

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

I was terrified that the divers would be stuck in decompression when the barge sank. thank god they got out and survived. thank you for a good ending for those divers but sorry for those that were lost. great story telling 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks

[@tormodhag6824]

Why don't they have helicopter evac on the barges?

[@YY-bl9kb]

@@tormodhag6824 you want to try flying a helicopter in a hurricane?

[@tormodhag6824]

@@YY-bl9kb they have the ability to see approaching hurricanes before they hit though, i think.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

I worked with the sat tech in the pic of the dive crew with his arms crossed near center of photo with a white shirt....he told me how the waves were so big that once in the water he would go underwater as the waves rose becuase they were so steep to near falling as they fell... he talked about so nonchalant that I was mesmerized by the story. He recommended the book "All the Men in The Sea" about the incident Hyperbaric lifeboats were a new thing then, this system was not by any means the only sat system without one.... I never had a desire to do sat though, only worked on 2 sat vessels In my dive career decade. The worst thing about this was the Company invited the survivors to a huge reception with a free and well stocked bar.. got them drunk as skunks, and talked many of them into signing waivers absolving the company of any liability....there was VhF home video of some signing these with drinks in hand stumblimg....used in legal proceedings later

[@waterlinestories]

Yeah I probably worded that wrong. Always good to get your perspective on this.

[@tomsmith3045]

Corporations being able to get liability waivers from individuals should be criminal. It really should be considered an admission of guilt by the company in trying to get liability released, and the waivers should result in 2x claims. Greed needs to be punished or it'll go unchecked.

[@bongwelll]

It's already been unchecked for decades and it's a cancer rotting this world.

[@rdred8693]

Makes my blood boil. What I think should be done to these vampires will get me banned.

[@mike7652]

"Hold her in position while laying pipe" I chuckled because I'm immature apparently.

[@waterlinestories]

There's always one🤣

[@RandomNameForPrivacy]

Thank god I'm not the only one!

[@The_ZeroLine]

Who wouldn’t chuckle. Only some sort of monster.

[@jgrenwod]

DITTO

[@5amH45lam]

Your ability to describe technical details for the layman is superb. Not just that your creative abilities at building a crescendo of tension is enthralling too. Coupled with the use of well-sourced, pertinent supplemental photography - and no unnecessary, superfluous imagery - your accounts are of exceptionally high quality. Please keep at it, because producing videos at this outstanding level will convert into subs by the thousand in due course, without doubt. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. 👍

[@waterlinestories]

Thank you o much for saying so. Its exactly what Im aiming for. Hopefully I can improve along the way. Thanks for watching.

[@coldpotatoes2556]

Great story telling, without documented visuals kept me on the edge of my mind.

[@itsacorporatething]

So they decided not return to safe water, in order to avoid fines for delays, but ended up losing the entire boat and 5 peoples lives?

[@waterlinestories]

Yes. That’s exactly right

[@sugarpuff2978]

Money talks.

[@BadOompaloompa79]

Capitalism baby. Collect that insurance money and hire somone for lower pay to replace the expended manpower.

[@Ginger-g8j]

Financial penalties for Dilley need to be outlawed

[@cwarts5461]

This one absolutely gives. Goosebumps, and then to find people in the comments that were in some way part of the story? Wow!!

[@IronBhoy]

Recently found this channel via YT randomness and have to say the presentation and story telling skills are exceptional and quite probably the best I’ve experienced. Usual there is an irritating voice over and/or poor quality visuals but this is very well presented and I very much enjoy seeing the narrator who tells the story with no frills and promos. Love it ❤️👊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@medea27]

Bravo, this video was excellent 👏 Plenty of context to set the stage & ensure we appreciate the gravity of the situation... great explanations of the more technical aspects while telling the story from the men's POV... music, pacing & editing on-point. I particularly liked the countdown to jumping in the water and simulating the silence as they resurface... gave me shivers thinking about that complete contrast between the noise & chaos above the waves, and the calm silence below. Nice one! 👌

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks😀 yeah I enjoyed making that part too.

[@raychapman1134]

I just found your channel a day ago. Watched all your videos immediately lol. You do an an job explaining everything and provide a wealth of photos and information to go with your story. Amazing job and keep it up and your channel will take off in no time.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@danieldavidovich5604]

found his account today, could not have said it better. I wish I had the balls to become a saturation diver but alas my kahunas arent large enough

[@waterlinestories]

@@danieldavidovich5604 Thanks. Not sure Id have them either. Id love to do a saturation dive in a bell and chamber but to do the work. Different story.

[@davesmith5656]

At last, someone who takes a few seconds to explain the acronyms he uses!

[@waterlinestories]

🤣

[@theFLCLguy]

That's like asking someone to explain what a cockfor is.

[@Rockwood1407]

@@theFLCLguy what's cockfor?

[@nehehehgraylois]

@@theFLCLguy it's a good thing i have a degree in cockforensics

[@miapdx503]

I've become addicted to videos above maritime disasters. I find them fascinating, but I will not leave the shore! I live in the Pacific Northwest, and I love our Oregon coastline...but I stay on dry land. I have mad respect for those who put out to sea. I keep you all in my prayers. I wish you calm seas and good fortune 🌹⚓

[@fritzfxx]

As someone else said, you do a great job of making these scenarios easily digestible for those completely unfamiliar with the technical aspects The more you assume the audience knows nothing, the better the videos get. E.g. it may seem blindingly obvious to you why a hurricane struck such fear into these men, but taking 7 seconds to spell it out plainly can really help people understand, and the more little details you include, the better the picture you paint.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Thats what I aiming. Having this kind of feedback really helps me improve the next stories.

[@secluse]

Your scripts are absolutely amazing and well paired with the visuals, I feel like I'm there and experiencing it all happen. You also do an AMAZING job balancing the technical information. I've found a lot of channels spend a compressed block before the story describing the technical information. For me it stays too abstract and comes too fast so I can't absorb it all. You do amazing dispersing it throughout the story tying it to the events occurring making it easy to comprehend while enhancing story flow versus interrupting it. Your knowledge and passion for the topic is also obvious.

[@waterlinestories]

Thank you. That is the best comment I’ve ever had. I’m a diving instructor and yacht master so I understand the topic. I also have another channel about how to scuba dive so I guess I’ve had the playground to learn how to deliver the info. But honestly it’s only now on this channel, as you say pairing the technical info with the story that it all starts to fall into place. Thank you so much for your very kind comment because it’s exactly what I’m trying to do. I really appreciate you noticing.

[@patrikpass2962]

​@@waterlinestories Im not a youtuber but i have a a suggestion that might help. The algorithm is set up to detect engagement, so if a person start to watch and then quits after a few minutes it might hurt your channel more than people not watching at all. So don't mention your other videos at the point you did in this video. Do it at the end of the video.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks yes that's a good idea. I'll have to think more about where I introduce other videos.

[@TolulopeOlamideAjayi]

Love your channel…your script writings and factual narration really help smooth these traumatic events with calm and assurance. These are awesome tales of really courageous men . Subscribed.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@rebeccajayne2707]

I have listened to far too many of these stories. I fell asleep listening to one the other night and actually ended up having a dream about being caught up in one of these scenarios 😮😮 That was a bad night 😂😂

[@Ginger-g8j]

I love this channel I don’t even have to open my eyes and I can see the pictures clearly he’s so good at describing what’s happening

[@VanessaScrillions]

I love your Channel. Thank you for making these in depth and visually appealing videos. It's quite eye opening.

[@waterlinestories]

My pleasure, thanks for saying so.

[@mssuxmyass]

Great content, very well done! Reminds me of working as a deckhand in the gulf in the 90s

[@waterlinestories]

I bet you have a few stories

[@LennyPayne-iz8lc]

Man! All i can think of is those cartoons that give Tug Boats a life of their own,always saving the day and powering through storms and super high waves pulling other vessels to the safety of a harbor❤they are magnificent inventions!

[@waterlinestories]

Gotta love a good tug 🤣

[@nodnarb1520]

Great channel. I'm a retired paramedic and lost a friend in a diving accident.

[@waterlinestories]

Sorry to hear that.

[@claycarlton314]

These videos are incredibly informative and engaging. You’ve hooked me in!

[@waterlinestories]

Mwah ha ha. Evil laugh, evil laugh, kitty stroking... Welcome aboard

[@DimMakTen]

The cost of oil is far more than what we see at the gas pump. This industry consumes men, wildlife, land, and lives at a rate we chose too ignore.

[@waterlinestories]

The hidden costs

[@DimMakTen]

@@waterlinestories your content is great.

[@lop8828]

We wouldn't want to go back to stone age. It is all a spiral existence.

[@xjumpmaster82]

This very rarely happens. Just as any profession there are deaths as well.

[@rickhatesmisleadia7101]

it does in some countries but not in Canada. We have the cleanest and safest oil and gas industry in the world! Its still not for the weak or meek but its not the cowboy show you see in other countries!

[@bobclack3256]

Most sinking ships wont pull you under unless they're still filling with water, like a lot of water. Everyone seems to think this is the case because the titanic did this when it snapped in half. Its not super common.

[@joelmulder]

Is it actually true though that a sinking ship will pull you under with it? If I recall correctly, one of the chefs who survived the Titanic said that as the stern he was standing on the tip of went under, he was able to step right off without even getting his hair wet.

[@Rudeljaeger]

Yes but only if the ship still has lots of air inside it where water can rush in and grab you. A "full" ship wont pull you down

[@-Eternal-Damnation-]

Incredible storytelling! I can't even imagine how terrifying this would have been

[@atwelltactical2664]

You are a very gifted storyteller. Thank you.

[@Travenhorn]

I would really like to see your channel popping off, the quality of your videos is great. Good format!

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks I really appreciate that

[@wadehampton5116]

This stuff is facinating and educational. Fast becoming my favorite channel.

[@waterlinestories]

Brilliant. That's fantastic, thanks for saying so. Welcome aboard

[@michaeldowd8422]

Pressure scares the living crap out of me. I've watched too many documentaries about submarines and submersible going past their crush depth. The ensuing implosion turns people into red soup 😱

[@bongwelll]

I've been rewatching these. Amazing work. Thank you for giving a peak into this side of life.

[@waterlinestories]

You're welcome, thanks for watching.

[@morad5119]

Another great video ! How could the captain get away with his decision? How is a barge supposed to withstand a hurricane? Again, money before safety.

[@waterlinestories]

That’s right. It is money before safety

[@Morbing_Time]

We live in a corporate hellscape where 0.0001% increase in profit is worth more to our corporate overlords than any amount of human life

[@zechsblack5891]

Wow, quality vs sub ratio is wack for how good this was. Not sure if I got the suggestion due to dive talk or engineering disaster follows, but subbing this one too.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. I only started about 8 weeks ago so just getting going. Probably via dive talk. I'm sure that's the overlap. Welcome aboard

[@walkerdnb6286]

Brilliant channel, I'm currently binging my way through the videos, although I've heard about some of these events before having them told by somebody that has a deep understanding of the profession definitely adds something to them 👍👍👍

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. That why I started. Ive got another channel about How to Scuba Dive and when I see these stories I can often see that the channel doesnt have a firm grip on the science. It makes a difference to understand what the actual mechanics are.

[@MyCatInABox]

I think this is my first time watching your channel- You've got a great way of telling the story, and describing the dangers. Really good stuff👍

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@anhedonianepiphany5588]

Captivating - extremely well told. Glad to have discovered your channel. Best of luck with its growth (subscribed).

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks I appreciate that. Welcome aboard

[@andrewtaylor940]

One thing that confuses me here? Why didn’t they evac everybody to the tugboats once the divers were out? It would have been cramped but at least they had power to maintain orientation in the Storm.

[@denisiwaszczuk1176]

You explain a storm as it is. Very true .

[@bluewaters3100]

Watching your videos is way scarier than any horror movie. I can't imagine the terror those people felt,

[@Irish_Georgia_Girl]

EXCELLENT job narrating and explaining what those men went through! Especially Jim. That really broke my heart...why someone who can't swim would take a job where they'd have to be on the ocean aboard a boat is beyond me...but it's still so sad. RIP to those that lost their lives.

[@chowjappa6470]

Love the stories where logic says this but greed says ignore that. How much did it cost to replace that boat and or bribe ppl to not investigate??? Pro alot more than a day at port!

[@waterlinestories]

I used to think third world capitalism but it’s everywhere.

[@DrMuFFinMan]

Talk about an unappreciated job title, Tugboat captain or crew member. They are true hero's.

[@adawg3032]

Poor Jim if only he had jumped his friends could have saved him, but he was just so terrified he was not thinking rationally.

[@philiplebas2321]

I've just found the channel really enjoyed the story and the way it was told

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Welcome aboard

[@Tobez]

Been on a water/diving/submarine/submersible kick and just found your channel. Looks like i'll be binging your videos for the foreseeable future

[@waterlinestories]

Good man

[@thedeleted117]

What an incredible channel! Great find

[@sillyrabbit734]

I can't even imagine - God bless the hard working men and women who put their lives at risk for the rest of us.

[@mortenfrosthansen84]

I used to listen to cassette tapes, with spooky stories like this. Narrated by a good actor with a powerful and deep voice. F.ex the story of Baskerville's Hound

[@holandesymexicana3396]

My father gave his life so that the barge could be rescued, but there was no help from the coast guard, only a few small tug boats. My father was the radio operator on that barge, he really didn't want to go but it was his job, I think deep down he knew there was a huge risk when the alert for Hurricane Roxana was still in effect. They found the body by his life jacket with the radio strapped to him.

[@waterlinestories]

My condolences.

[@Owen322]

I don’t know if this is a stupid question but do you know why they couldn’t just try to transfer everyone from the barge to the tugs much earlier

[@Heart2HeartBooks]

Astounding that only 5 out of 243 died. Remarkable!

[@waterlinestories]

Yeah it is quite remarkable.

[@Heart2HeartBooks]

@@waterlinestories Love your stories and and narration. I am a Shakespearean actor so I appreciate good narration. Thanks.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@cseguin]

Maybe a better design would be to have a decompression habitat that is _not_ permanently mounted on the barge? Mayhaps it would be better to have it so that it can be lifted off and brought to safety (with all of its components) without having to screw around with the barge and all the anchors? I don't see why this could not be done - it's probably really expensive - too bad, that's the price of business.

[@Morbing_Time]

Corporate greed killed these men, too bad the shareholders and the corporate heads will never face the consequences for their actions.

[@russell2952]

Who allows someone to work on a ship when they can't swim? And why would anyone take that job? It's crazy.

[@frontxxrunner]

somebody who needs money to survive

[@stevenbingham7206]

Someone who knows that working on a ship doesn't involve swimming.

[@confusedbadger6275]

People work on aeroplanes but we can't fly

[@Boneworm852]

I've been binging your videos and just thought of something: are there unions for commercial divers? I know it's a fairly rare profession but is there overlap with pipefitters or other kinds of construction unions?

[@waterlinestories]

Good question. I would imagine not. I can't see companies who have so little regard for safety, hiring contractors who are unionised. Maybe now they are. I'll have to look it up

[@PrezVeto]

@@waterlinestories In the U.S., at least, companies don't really have a choice. If their existing employees vote to unionize, they have to "negotiate"* a contract with the new union. They can't just replace those employees. From then on the only way to get away from having unionized employees again is for the workers to vote to dissolve their union. *IMO, it's not really a full negotiation when one side doesn't have the option of walking away.

[@mommy2libras]

​@@PrezVeto that's what makes me think that US commercial divers aren't union. I can't imagine that if they were, their union would allow companies to get away the blatant disregard for safety that pops up over and over again. They wouldn't have to decide to take jobs where equipment is not up to regulation or is out of date and falling apart or told "just don't worry about it" when it came to cutting corners to save time and whatnot. It's sad too- this attitude that "unions are the devil" is especially prevalent in the south, where commercial diving is a decent occupation but where we have many states that have high poverty rates. Our leadership perpetuates this attitude - across all industries, even things like food service and tourism- because if the people actually knew that unions could ensure them fair pay and compensation and safe working conditions then their corporate donors would have to come off some of that green to actually fairly pay the people who keep their businesses running.

[@HULLGRAFFITI]

How on earth was Jim allowed to do this job if he can't swim ?? I would have thought that was the most basic basic qualification for any seafaring person..

[@justkittensbeingkittens5892]

A shocking amount of people will go out on boats without knowing how to swim. An accident won’t happen to me right?

[@cmen6895]

id argue that 30 percent of sailors cant swim. Astronauts cant breath without oxygen aswell though.

[@frontxxrunner]

@@cmen6895 can't learn to breath oxygen in open outer space. but you can learn to swim at least.

[@BadOompaloompa79]

Anybody can swim with a lifejacket.

[@HULLGRAFFITI]

C'mon...You don't see the insanity of choosing to work anywhere near any type of water or on any type of boat anywhere and not having the most basic skill of swimming ? @@BadOompaloompa79

[@jasonhare8540]

I once stood on the beach just at the tail end of the hurricane . (Do not try this at home). You've never seen forces like that until you've seen them . I still remember exactly how it felt watching waves devastate everything around my elevated position . I felt like Merlin casting a spell for lack of a better descriptor . Literally awe inspiring

[@jayryan1956]

what procedures or safety equipment do they use now to prevent these accidents? you would think taking such a long time to decompress with the risk of hurricanes/ cyclones in the area that there would be safety features to escape the barge and turn the chambers into life boats that they could quickly tow back to shore to decompress.

[@waterlinestories]

Yes they have hyperbaric lifeboats. Not mandatory everywhere around the world though.

[@osbornrides]

Great work keeping going with same quality n information n consistent uploads, we will surpass your expectations. Subscribed

[@waterlinestories]

That’s great to hear. Thanks for the support. I really appreciate that

[@osbornrides]

@@waterlinestories can you do next story on how Harrison Okene survived the ship wreck for 3days in a air pocket. Thank you very much.

[@waterlinestories]

You read my mind. I’m busy writing the script right now. It’ll take about a week though.

[@osbornrides]

@@waterlinestories Yay that's great to hear, will wait it out.

[@bryanteverett8421]

Can someone explain the last bit where he says, “Some of the divers were never able to dive again, due to their rapid decompression”. I’m just a little confused as to why, because earlier he said that the emergency deco was a success and that no one suffered ill effect and that it was a success. He does mention ptsd which could fit the narrative, but it does seem like he’s insinuating physical injury more so than mental health.

[@waterlinestories]

Hey. I can't remember the exact wording but essentially the rapid Deco was a success in that they lived and didn't have severe decompression sickness. But they did suffer Mike decompression sickness, enough that they weren't able to work in diving again.

[@srednivashtar5432]

Good job. I’ve subscribed and am looking forward to watching your channel grow.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. I appreciate that. This is really the beginning.

[@searcaig]

I operated sat chambers on DSVs back in the 80s and we always had a hyperbaric lifeboat on the vessels, so I'm surprised that this was not the case on the barge. OF course this means more $$$ and companies winning these contracts are the cheapest bidders. Fortunately in UK / EU waters the regulations are probably more strict. Only once did we experience such bad weather that we had all of our divers in the hyperbaric lifeboat and start decompression, and fortunately we got to shelter without any issue. I was triple checking all my calculations on gas for the deco every 30 mins and topping up the O2 supply frequently to avoid the possibility of running out.

[@johnfairchild3421]

Safety Should always always come first my childhood friend got killed on a oil rig. I narrowed my missed getting killed several times the oil company’s need to be more liable then they would be more safety minded. Human Life cannot be replaced when are they gonna learn. RIP. Blaine W

[@медитирую]

Amazing video, terrifying situation.

[@beatrixjones2982]

Phenomenal story teller 👍💙

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. I appreciate that.

[@gaveintothedarkness]

Amazing story telling - subbed!

[@standardyeepz]

what a story teller! great job

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks I appreciate that

[@fritzoliver8396]

I'm sorry to hear that I wish both gornments could do more to stop accidents like this

[@ypaulbrown]

always great presentations....thank you Pau Florida

[@Velereonics]

Why dont they have a portable chamber in case they have to remove divers early considering they are in a hurricane prone region during hurricane season with storms I'm sure sprinkled across the gulf?

[@AnxietyAdvertisement]

Great production quality on this!

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks

[@anja2716]

Stumbled upon this channel. Consider me hooked. Excellent narrative. I do wonder how people that can't swim work at sea. Seems as though it should be imperative. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Welcome aboard. Maybe. I think people are born into industries in their area. But swimming is relative. I'm a diver and sailor, Inn a very strong swimmer if a little unfit at the moment. My wife can swim but won't swim in rough conditions. I think many people at sea can probably get by in the water but aren't comfortable so they know their life jacket is their friend. They also know the job pays to support their family so they do the job.

[@anja2716]

@@waterlinestories well bravo to all those brave non swimmers. I consider myself a strong swimmer but at the end of the day its redundant in a swollen ocean.

[@wildcarma4022]

Excellent storytelling!

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks

[@vegashotboi2151]

I was there , crapping my pants the whole time. I froze up ..utterly terrified, pants full of crap 💩

[@waterlinestories]

Not fun I'm sure.

[@vegashotboi2151]

@@waterlinestories it was a mess 😳

[@yply.o.7877]

That tugboat captain was a problem for the reapers plans on that day. All those men were.

[@george5590]

interesting working on the barge surly you would have to be able to swim, to get a position on the barge

[@theunemployedtrucker]

Is there a certain distance that you have to be away from a ship going under so you don't get pulled down with it ????? Does that distance have to be further away the bigger the ship going under ?????

[@garrysekelli6776]

Was wondering about the opinion of this guy about the explosions of the northstream pipeline. Was it done with submarines or drones or regular divers (perhaps in a diving bell)?

[@waterlinestories]

Wow. Got me, I don’t have any idea. Could be any of these and more.

[@garrysekelli6776]

@@waterlinestories thx. Probably hard to determine. (Unless we were privy to more information) Love the channel. :)

[@Yggdrasil42]

No need for anything fancy. The depth is less than 100m. Easily achievable by a technical diver using trimix. Likely using a rebreather. I have multiple amateur diver friends who've dived to 100m. The trick here is not the diving but of course exactly locating the pipeline, handling explosives and hiding your tracks on the surface.

[@justinkemeter]

Why couldn’t the divers never dive again? Was it because of ptsd or because of something inherent in the emergency decompression?

[@waterlinestories]

It was before of the decompression. It's possible they still had some bubbles that weren't expelled completely.

[@shingerz]

Wow what a story such brave men these divers and all who sail at sea I fear the sea these men work in it take my hat off to them fantastic video rip lives lost 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Leo-lj6vs]

Just subscribed. I love anything to do with water. Very interesting channel.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@GrantLogsdon]

I’m gonna have to use that line on my wife “Honey secure the anchors Why? I’m about to lay pipe” 😂

[@waterlinestories]

Seal the hatch

[@erictaylor5462]

Why would there be no plan in place incase, for some reason, the barge or derrick had to be abandoned? The guys in the pressure chamber can't just step out, no matter how dire the emergency is. So why not have a way to move the entire pressure chamber onto a boat, or better yet, make a pressure chamber out of a boat, so those inside can just cut the mooring lines and drive the ewntire thing to some harbor where they can safely finish decompressing?

[@rms3]

This is a story of operational ineptitude and poor operational decision making. Standard practice in the Gulf is to evacuate when a hurricane approaches. The DLB 269 was only 60 miles from shelter and should have been towed to safe harbor immediately, even if it required cutting the mooring lines rather than retrieving them. Construction contracts exclude downtime from hurricanes as part of the contractors responsibility. There was no excuse for trying to ride out the storm at sea. The men who made that decision should have been prosecuted.

[@waterlinestories]

Decision by managers not seaman

[@GeoffInfield]

I don't think a sinking ship 'sucks' us down, the air escaping the ship dramatically reduces the density and with it your buoyancy so you sink fast. But maybe it's both :)

[@anusblaster8671]

Can anyone tell me, at 16:28 he says some of the divers could never dive again. Is this because of physical damage, or PTSD/ mental stuff?

[@ziziflor9019]

This is an amazing video! Thank you!

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@cubby6988]

That whole story is absolutely horrifying. Made me anxious listening to it.

[@KarldorisLambley]

'creates a vacuum as it sinks' do you mean the displacement as the craft moves through the water?

[@kabar123ar]

Why couldn’t the divers ever dive again after the rapid decompression

[@sixft7in]

16:50 I was in the US Navy in the late 90s. I reported to my ship (CVN-71 USS Theodore Roosevelt) in the latter half of 96 on a Friday. All ships were to sortie out on Monday to dodge a hurricane that was coming in. The theory is that the ships will beat the ever living hell out of the piers to which they are attached. Instead, we were going to go to sea and go around the storm. The worst it got for us was around 4 degrees of roll, which is a lot for a 1000 foot long 100K ton ship. I can't imagine how it was for the smaller ships that tried to dodge the storm. Oddly, there were still people getting seasick from 4 degree roll. 🤷‍♂

[@josh256m8]

At 6:18 there’s a song from the 80s playong that I’m so close to naming. Can anyone recognise it 😭

[@pierrenorwood1997]

As someone who has spent a lot of time at see. I wouldn't say a Storm at sea is boring. I would say it's actually beautiful. Extremely dangerous, but beautiful (mother nature)