At a media conference on Monday, Seacor Marine President and CEO John Gellert says despite weather forecast warnings, they had full confidence in the lift boat captain’s decision to set sail.
One of the first bodies recovered after the capsize was identified as the captain of the lift boat, 63-year-old David Ledet of Thibodaux.
“The captain had 50 years of experience. He was a very veteran captain. Almost all of his 50 years on lift boats,” said Gellert. “He was one of our best captains and very prudent and conservative. We are very confident he would not have gone out if he had any doubt whatsoever.”
Despite weather warnings the captain made the decision to set sail in what was described by the Coast Guard as 90 mph winds and 7-9 foot seas.
“The Go, No Go decision is entirely the captain’s,” said Gellert. “The captain has full control of the vessel. The vessel is owned by Seacor Marine. He had our support for his decision to sail and we have no reason to believe that there was…the weather forecasted to encounter was well within the limits of the vessel, and the weather they ultimately encounter was well beyond the forecast, as far as we know at this time.”
When asked why the lift boat would sail in such dangerous sea conditions, Gellert said, “I can’t speculate, there were warnings, but they were not warning of the magnitude that which we had encountered. The investigation will further that.”
Geller says the Seacor Power was contracted by Talos Energy to do well work on their platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. At the time of the capsize the lift boat was carrying well work equipment and 19 crew members.
Once conditions became desperate, Gellert says the captain attempted to lower the three 200 foot long ‘legs’ of the lift boat, to secure it and save the vessel and crew. However, Gellert says only one leg detracted about five feet before the boat capsized.
Gellert adds that they have 17 divers who have searched about half of the partially submerged lift boat.
“We feel we have done everything in our power and all the resources available to continue the response as the weather permits,” said Gellert.
