Investigation Report
ROV Descended to Seabed During Recovery After Umbilical Winch Free-Spooling
02-20-2026 1246 G35833 MC 759 Damaged/Disabled Safety System, Incident > $25K
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Barrier managementMechanical failure
- ROV operations
- Remotely operated vehicleWinch
- Emergency response
- Upstream oil and gas
- Vessel
Summary
Investigation of an ROV recovery incident aboard Deepwater Atlas in which an umbilical winch free-spooled and the vehicle descended to the seabed. Contractor and manufacturer analyses attributed gear damage to inadequate lubrication. Emergency stopping depended on the failed gearing. The report examines maintenance evidence, crew response and limitations of the investigation.
Classifications: Barrier management; safety barrier management.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: ROV operations; remotely operated vehicle operations.
Classifications: Remotely operated vehicle; ROV; underwater robot.
Classifications: Winch; winches.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.