Full Breakdown
Three Dead, One Injured in Lifeboat Maintenance Accident on Petronas FSO Sepat
5/25/2026, 6:48:12 AM
Fatal Lifeboat Maintenance Accident on Petronas FSO Sepat
On 24 May 2026, at approximately 12:50 p.m. (0450 GMT), a lifeboat maintenance operation on the floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel Sepat, operated by Malaysia’s state energy company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), resulted in three workers being pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital and one additional crew member being injured and placed under observation.
Timeline
- 24 May 2026 – 12:50 p.m. (0450 GMT): Lifeboat maintenance commenced on FSO Sepat off the east coast of Terengganu state.
- Immediate aftermath: Three workers declared dead on arrival; one worker evacuated for medical treatment.
Official Statements & Responses
Petronas issued a statement confirming the incident and noting that investigations are underway in coordination with the relevant authorities. The company declined to provide further details about the cause or the identities of the deceased workers.
On-the-Ground Reports
Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama, citing local police, reported that the workers boarded a lifeboat on the FSO platform to lower themselves into the sea for maintenance. According to the report, the rope or hook linking the lifeboat to the vessel is believed to have detached, causing the victims to fall into the water.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The available reports do not specify the exact technical cause of the rope or hook failure, nor do they identify the four workers involved. Petronas has not released further information, and no independent investigation findings have been made public at the time of reporting.
Verbatim Quotes
“Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing in coordination with the relevant authorities,” — Petronas, spokesperson
“Three workers were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while the injured staff member was evacuated for medical treatment and remains under observation, Petronas said.” — Petronas, statement
“However, the rope or hook linked to the lifeboat was believed to have detached, causing the victims to fall into the sea, Bernama reported, citing local police.” — Bernama, citing local police
Implications for Offshore Safety
The accident demonstrates the inherent hazards of routine maintenance tasks on offshore vessels and underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols for lifeboat operations. It also highlights the need for clear reporting mechanisms when equipment failures occur.
What’s Next
Petronas has indicated that investigations will continue in collaboration with authorities. Updates are expected as findings become available, and the incident may prompt reviews of maintenance procedures on similar offshore assets.
