Watch: World’s Third Largest Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel Nearly Sinks With 275 Lives Onboard

The world’s third-largest semi-submersible crane vessel, SAIPEM 7000, developed a heavy list after the primary wire of one of the cranes broke during the load test and one of the main ballast valves failed off Stavanger, Norway, on Apr 14.

SAIPEM 7000 has a displacement of 172000 tons; 1987 built Bahamas flagged vessel has two revolving cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 7,000 tons.

The self-propelled vessel can accommodate 725 persons on board. It is used for installation and decommissioning works in offshore oil and gas and offshore wind industries.

There were reports of explosions, however same can’t be confirmed.

Photos and online videos show the vessel listing heavily with its main deck nearly in the water.

Rescue at sea. Ongoing situation
One of the biggest Crane vessels in the world, tilting after a sudden explosion 20 min’s ago. 275 ppl on board #Stavanger #Åmøyfjorden #Norway #Saipem7000 #MaritimeSecurity pic.twitter.com/dM8LePv8Dd

— Sea & son (@OnDeepWater) April 14, 2022

The barge alongside SAIPEM 7000 has reportedly capsized. Of 275 crew on board, nobody was injured.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration reported that the situation was “under control” and that the crane vessel was now upright.
As per the Norwegian Coastal Administration, a sheen of oil was spotted in the vicinity of the barge, which had about 2,000 litres of oil at the time of the incident.

The Norwegian Maritime Directorate will carry out inspections and port state inspections of the crane vessel SAIPEM 7000 as soon as the situation allows.