Two divers tragically lost their lives to hypothermia after a critical equipment malfunction during a diving operation. Richard Arthur Walker, 32, and Victor Francis “Skip” Guiel Jr., 28, met their untimely demise in the Wildrake diving accident of 1979 in the North Sea’s East Shetland Basin. The incident occurred when the diving bell, which detached from its main lift at a depth of 520 feet, left the divers stranded. They were working on a Single Anchor Leg Mooring (SALM) system, an oil tanker facility.
In a chilling revelation, Walker’s diary hinted at his premonition of the tragic outcome. Following the mishap caused by the British National Oil Corporation (BNOC) blowing a faulty buoy, Infabco was contracted for diving services to rectify the situation. The MS Wildrake, a diving support vessel owned by Anders Wilhelmsen AS, was equipped with a saturation diving system for decompression.
The fatal turn of events unfolded when the divers, acclimated to the deep-sea pressure, found their diving bell detached. The bell’s only connection was the umbilical cord supplying essential resources for their survival. Despite rescue efforts from the Stena Welder vessel, complications arose due to lighting issues and lack of proper equipment communication.
During the rescue attempt, the crane hook failed to reach the distressed divers in time, leading to further complications. Tragically, one of the divers attempted to free the bell, but their efforts were in vain. Ultimately, Walker and Guiel succumbed to hypothermia before being recovered.
Following investigations, safety violations and negligence were uncovered, leading to legal actions against the responsible parties. Walker’s and Guiel’s families pursued wrongful death complaints, resulting in indictments and compensatory damages. The court’s ruling highlighted the negligence and lack of prioritization of safety measures, underscoring the preventable nature of the tragic incident.