Mutiny By American Crew Against Their French Captain On Oil Rig

If it were an American captain or a French crew it wouldn't have made the news at all.

Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?

The way I interpret it is, people sympathize for the french (hence it makes the news), but not Americans (no one cares, so it doesn't make the news)... thats how I read it anyway... but I don't think thats what you meant.

Anyhow, I didn't post to talk about that...

I've been doing some searches for information on this ship, and it's crew. If anyone is interested this is what I've found so far...

Rig: Pride South Seas
Type: Moored Seimsubmersible
Horsepower: 2000
Working Depth/Water Depth: 20,000\1,000
Manufacturer: Aker H-3, National 1320-UE
Mast: Pyramid 182 - 1,000,000
Location: South Africa
Country: South Africa

Picture of a moored semi-submersible for reference.

Classification: DNV
Rig Design: Aker H-3
Built By: Mitsui at the Japan shipyard
Delivery Year: 1977
Flag: Liberia

Derrick: Pyramid 160'; Capacity: 1,400,000 lbs
Drawworks: National Oilwell 1320-UE 2,000 HP
Mud Pumps: 2 x National Oilwell 12-P-160 triplex, 1600 HP
Top Drive: Varco TDS-4
Rotary Table: National 49.5 in. diameter Model C-495 800 HP

I have tons more technical info on this rig, but its way to much... the 500 word text limiter would stop me at a quarter of the info I have, lol. Contact me if you're looking for info... (allthough I don't see why someone would need to know the type, and size of the pumps they're using :lol


Apparently the company that owns, the rig does some contract work for Amoco.


Something that doesn't make sense, from what I'm reading in their fleet status records is they were contracted, and underway until the 6th... meanwhile, the event happened on the 3rd while they were heading back to south africa). The crew couldn't wait the 3 days to get to port? That doesn't ring well with me.

media.corporate-ir.net...

I'm checking out their human resource documents next, to see what their company policy is in regards to captain, and crew conduct...

More to come soon.

This is where one would go to file a report against harrasment, discrimination, etc.

www.compliance-helpline.com...

I'm still looking for stated company policies towards officer/crew conduct.

[edit] heading out for now, gotta head into the city so ill be back later, hopefully with more info.

[edit on 6/10/05 by microcosm]

Originally posted by microcosm
The way I interpret it is, people sympathize for the french (hence it makes the news), but not Americans (no one cares, so it doesn't make the news)... thats how I read it anyway... but I don't think thats what you meant.

No, it just makes you sound paranoid.

If it was a Swiss captain and a Japanese crew it wouldn't have made the news. The fact that it was a french captain and an american crew made it newsworthy because it seemed to sum up the current situation between the respective governments.

We're getting the same nationalistic garbage shoved down our throats in europe about the constitutional treaty but the point is a bunch of guys weren't happy with their captain so they threatened to chuck him in the sea. Their nationalities only have meaning because of the current political situation.

Was it wrong? Yes it probably was. Without knowing all the facts of the matter it's hard to comment but then, it's also hard to justify threatening to chuck your captain overboard. Their nationalities only have meaning because of the current political situation.

The interesting question is did the current political situation between france and the us have any bearing on their decision to mutiny?

I personally think it would made news if it was a german captain, and a australian crew... people are fascinated by this...

Originally posted by microcosm
I personally think it would made news if it was a german captain, and a australian crew... people are fascinated by this...

Well, considering this incident didn't show up on most (any) news sites I think you're wrong.

Found another brief article on this topic:

www.news24.com...

Apparently no one is talking about it. They're probably under orders from the authorities for legal reasons, as well as their bosses because its an embarassment to the company.

-koji K.

Whats happened is that Americans dont respect any sort of rule unless its American , if i were the Captain id have shot the lot of them , sometimes they want a kicking . Americans have got it into there heads their invinvible , no way.

Originally posted by Bulldog 52
Whats happened is that Americans dont respect any sort of rule unless its American , if i were the Captain id have shot the lot of them , sometimes they want a kicking . Americans have got it into there heads their invinvible , no way.

Originally posted by Chris McGee
Nationalism is becoming ever more prevalent. Aren't we supposed to be above all this crap by now?

See what I mean?

Yep.

I most certainly do.

Americans aren't evil, self-centered, egotistical, warmongering, illiterate, morally repugnant gutter snipes.

That's our government you're thinking of.

Wait, this just in! News flash!

Your government is no different! (general you, whoever you are, any you will do, capiche?)

Governments everywhere are the SAME in most ways. They seek to control and manipulate the people under their care, to benefit the most from their elevated position.

Originally posted by Chris McGee

Originally posted by microcosm
I personally think it would made news if it was a german captain, and a australian crew... people are fascinated by this...

Well, considering this incident didn't show up on most (any) news sites I think you're wrong.

Maybe I'm just different then, and find maritime news more important than regular BS news (Jessica Simpson is Daisy Dukes... wow. :@@.

Did you know that there was a pirate attack on a bulk cargo ship near somalia this monday? The US navy had to assist, and escort the vessel to safer waters...

Does anyone find that news interesting, or is it just me? (I hope it's just not me)

I don't care what countries are involved at any time... it can be french, and american, it can be swedish, and spanish... News like this makes my headlines...

Ahh I see what the problem is...

When I said "thats how I read it." I didn't mean thats how I read the article... thats how I read your post.

I was serious when I asked: "is that a good thing or a bad thing?" I wasn't trying to be disrespectful or rude or anything like that... I was wondering as to why you called me paranoid about wanting to know your opinion about your own post.

If you re-read one of my posts on the previous page you'll see that I feel the french captain is "with out fault". Allthough it still remains my personal opinion that he's unfit to lead because of his emotional breakdown. I'd have the same feelings towards any captain though... Norweigen, French, or American...

As a captain you have to hold a tight ship... no room for bs. If your fainting, and crying, over personal items tossed overboard it doesn't do anything good. It shows you're other crew mates your weak, and it shows the mutineers that they're in control. A good captain is in control of the situation at all times... thats why I feel he's unfit to lead... it has nothing to do with nationality. People are saying the captain should've shot them, and dumped them in the sea... thats going a little to far... but it's never a bad idea to flex a little muscle with them... you have to show them whos in control, and this captain clearly wasn't in control.

[edit on 6/10/05 by microcosm]

I agree! People think to slow and talk to fast!

The issue here is NOT about who did what they did, but WHY they did as they did. Either way if there was a martian captain or a venusian crew. The issue here is that this incident is very serious!

Also in respect of "normal" piracy that is very, very common out of Africa and in Asia. It is not to be taken lightly.

This incident on the other hands is not incited by "ordinary" poor people in need of money to survive, but being made by "normal" american, not so poor, crewpeople during their daily workschedule.

There is something fishy in this case, and it should be respected as that and preferably analyzed in its own way. -Not flamed and trolled into a stupid thread! That's my opinion!

Looking forward to more insightful posts about who, what, where and whys on this issue. Respect to the people investigating this and staying focused on the issue of the thread!

Edited some dumb grammars

[edit on 11-6-2005 by Ulvetann]

When I said "thats how I read it." I didn't mean thats how I read the article... thats how I read your post.

That clears it up then. Allow me to clarify: It wasn't necessarily the position of the people involved, for example if it had been a french crew and an american captain i'm sure it would have got a reaction. The way you put it:

The way I interpret it is, people sympathize for the french (hence it makes the news), but not Americans (no one cares, so it doesn't make the news)... thats how I read it anyway... but I don't think thats what you meant.

That is not what I meant at all. I'm British, we've been at war with France countless times over the last 1000 years, they're right now trying to rob us blind in the EU. Put simply, I don't sympathise for the French. I wasn't taking one side or the other, for all we know the Captain may have been off his rocker or the crew may have been in the wrong. I was just pointing out that because of the recent relations between the two countries this is made into more of a story than it really is.

After re-reading it I can see how you might have taken it the way you did but rest assured that was not what I was saying.

Turning to the question as to whether it's a good or a bad thing, I can only think it's a bad thing. Instead of bringing people closer together, this kind of piece acts as a divisor, pitting US haters (idiots) against US cheerleader trolls (idiots) and brings nothing but conflict. I'm not saying this shouldn't be reported but the emphasis placed on the nationalities of the people involved quite clearly shows the slant of the report (no blame attached to to Hellmutt, i'm talking of the major news agencies).

You said the Captain should show them he's in control, he shouldn't have to. The sailors should be professional enough to accept they've got an (alleged) a-hole in charge. As for flexing a little muscle, we can't do that in this day and age. In Nelson's day they would have been flogged and keel-hauled. In more recent times they would have had the kicked out of them. Today, what could the Captain do without coming up on charges himself?

Command requires a delicate balance between authority and respect. The best course is to know when to drop the hammer and when to turn a blind eye. Regardless of how ruthless a leader might be in the face of recalcitrance, fairness will always win over those who survive.

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
Command requires a delicate balance between authority and respect. The best course is to know when to drop the hammer and when to turn a blind eye. Regardless of how ruthless a leader might be in the face of recalcitrance, fairness will always win over those who survive.

Wise words, Grady! It's so true, and so hard to explain, without involving everyone into that presence the incident happened in!

Does anyone know what happened to the French captain or the American crew? Or the rig for that matter. This story never really made the headlines, did it? They managed to hush it down.

While I'm no fan of this mutiny, based on the meagre details provided, I agree with an earlier poster that this guy lived up to the French reputation for less than brave behavior. (I've been warned by a mod that I shouldn't use bad words.)

Nervous breakdown? ROTFLMAO Those French sure are sensitive.

Here's why.

I have worked under some S.O.B.'s. And there are thousands of ways for crew to wreak vengeance on a loan nut. Drop things on him. Sick-outs. Spilling stuff. Accidently waking him up every time he tries to sleep. Etc.

If the captain had gone crazy, what would a normal crew have done? Tied him up in his quarters and called for help.

What did this crew do? They threw his toys in the drink. Not the act of a group that has the moral high ground.

The only way the Americans were vics here is if the Captain, any officers, and rest of the crew were French or close "allies" of the french. If it was that, then the americans would have gone on strike.

There are clots of bad workers from every nation. Otherwise, americans would mutiny ever day. They don't. Just these five.

You can draw a band hand of any nationality, just like in poker. They could have been