Gulf research vessel sank due to poor repair decisions, NTSB says

摘要

A day after leaving Tampa, Fla., where the oceanographic research vessel Seaprobe spent almost two weeks undergoing major repairs, the ship was again in trouble. The 170-foot ship encountered rough weather in the Gulf of Mexico and began taking on water during the evening of Jan. 17, 2013. Pumps initially kept the flooding in check, but large waves sent seawater rushing into the engine room. Four hours later, the vessel was listing to starboard and bilge pumps were no longer keeping up. Soon afterward, as Seaprobe went down roughly 130 miles south-southeast of Mobile, Ala., the 12-person crew boarded life rafts and awaited Coast Guard rescue helicopters.