Transocean Sedco Forex Reports Rescue

Transocean Sedco Forex Inc. announced that its drillship, Peregrine III, has safely rescued the nine-member crew of the survey-and-recovery vessel ALOHA, which was lost at sea about 100 nautical miles northeast of Cozumel while under way to a historical and bullion wreck. The ALOHA reported that it had lost power and was taking on water on Thursday, February 7. Also responding were a German container vessel, MV Libra Houston, and a Norwegian cruise ship, Rhapsody At Sea. The ALOHA crewmembers, including four U.S. citizens and five Filipinos, were taken aboard the Peregrine III from an ALOHA life raft. No medical problems were reported among the rescued crewmembers.

The ALOHA, a dynamically positioned ROV (remotely operated vehicle) survey ship, belongs to Deepsea International (DSI). "As the managing director of DSI, I am sorry to see the loss of our ALOHA, grateful for the spared lives of its crew, and proud to be a stockholder of Transocean Sedco Forex, a company we owe a great deal of gratitude in responding to our situation," said Eric Galerne, who was onboard the ALOHA and is now aboard the Peregrine III.

Captain Mike Moore, Chief of Search and Rescue for the Seventh U.S. Coast Guard District in Miami, wrote in an email to Peregrine III Captain Ron MacDonald: "You and your crew are commended for the humanitarian assistance displayed during your rescue of nine crewmembers from the research vessel ALOHA ... Your quick recovery of the survivors and timely notification to Coast Guard rescue coordinators resulted in saving nine lives. The professional actions demonstrated by you and your crew are appreciated. Well done."