Deepwater survivor kept at sea for 40 hours after rescue

[onestepforward]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/20/survivor-deepwater-horizon-gulf-oil-explosion

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For Davis, the events of that night, when the rig exploded killing 11 of the 126 crew, was only the beginning of his ordeal. He says he and other survivors were to spend the next 40 hours in isolation – barred from phoning their families – while his lawyers believe Transocean, the owners of the rig, readied its legal defences. Seventeen crew members were seriously injured in the incident.


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By Davis's estimate, it took 12-15 minutes to get from the rig to the work boat, but it would take another 36-40 hours before they were to return to shore – even though there were dozens of boats in the area and Coast Guard helicopters airlifting the most severely injured to hospital.

Some of the men were openly furious, while others, like Davis, were just numb. He says they were denied access to the onboard satellite phone or radio to call their families.

When the ship finally did move, it did not head for shore directly, stopping at two more rigs to collect and drop off engineers and coast guard crew before arriving at Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

The company was ready for the men then, with portable toilets lined up at the dock for drug tests. The men were loaded on to buses, given a change of clothing and boxes of sandwiches, and taken to a hotel in Kenner, Louisiana, where finally they were reunited with their families.

Lawyers say the isolation was deliberate and that Transocean was trying to wear the men down so they would sign statements denying that they had been hurt or that they had witnessed the explosion that destroyed the rig.

"These men are told they have to sign these statements or they can't go home," said Buzbee. "I think it's pretty callous, but I'm not surprised by it."

Davis had been awake nonstop for about 50 hours by that point. He signed. Buzbee says most of the men did.

But that is unlikely to limit the lawsuits against the companies involved in the disaster. In addition to survivors, Buzbee is representing more than 100 oystermen, fishermen and seafood packers who are seeking economic damages.
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Not surprising, but no less disgusting.

[Swamp Rat]

1. criminal

[Roon]

2. Hey Swampy!

I know I have probably already told you this before, but I really enjoy your art. Keep them coming!!

[Clintonista2]

3. "The company was ready for the men then, with portable toilets lined up at the dock for drug tests."

Drug tests?

[onestepforward]

7. I thought this was strange too.

I guess they are hoping to blame the workers somehow?

[TexasObserver]

4. This is why a strong, well funded plaintiffs' bar is so necessary.

When these events occur, the only people who really hold the bad actors accountable are the lawyers who represent these plaintiffs.

What happened in this matter is not unusual. The companies know that they have the inside track on dealing with the aftermath. They can create the evidentiary trail favorable to them, and that is exactly what they do. Debriefing every witness and nailing them down to a story couched favorably to the company is standard procedure. By the time the first plaintiffs lawyer show up, the defense side has all the witnesses sown up with statements. And those statements will be kept from the plaintiffs for a time, if not forever.

As soon as a well blow out occurs, the company starts its defense. Debriefing and manipulating survivors are high priorities.

[HillbillyBob]

5. Contracts signed under duress is not valid

or that is what I have heard many times.
Im not a lawyer so.

[DaveinJapan]

6. I'm sure you're right. The problem is in proving it, though. nt