A maintenance operation on a lifeboat at the Sepat FSO oil production unit off the coast of Malaysia ended in tragedy. The accident, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the death of three individuals, while one person was injured.

According to local media outlet Ekonomi Rakyat, the incident took place around 12:50 local time in the offshore oil and gas field on the eastern coast of the Malaysian peninsula. Four contractor personnel boarded the lifeboat to conduct maintenance checks on the Sepat FSO unit. Preliminary findings indicate that the lifeboat fell into the sea due to a broken wire rope or a malfunction in the hook system.

The four injured individuals were taken to a hospital in Kuala Terengganu. It was reported that three of the workers who arrived at the hospital around 18:00 succumbed to their injuries. One person is still undergoing treatment.

The deceased have been identified as 38-year-old Ahmed Fikri Zakaria, 37-year-old Nik Muhammed Hafifi Asri Ab Majid, and 28-year-old Muhammad Faezuan Hakim Mohammad Bustamam.

Bustamam's wife, Nurkhaeryna Dhania Azreen Khairil Azri, stated in an interview with local media that her husband had sent her a message shortly before the accident. Azri noted that her husband wrote he was 'eager to return home and wanted to go on vacation,' adding that she had not heard from him again after responding to his message.

Initial reports suggested that the incident occurred during a lifeboat drill; however, Malaysian energy company Petronas confirmed that the accident took place during maintenance operations.

In the maritime sector, lifeboats are considered one of the riskiest pieces of equipment due to their high drop systems. Corrosion, metal fatigue, maintenance deficiencies, and human errors have led to numerous fatal accidents in previous years. Under safety recommendations published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it is advised that personnel be kept as far away from lifeboats as possible during training drills.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye