Rig: An Oral History of the Ocean Ranger Disaster

by Mike Heffernan

In the early hours of February 15, 1982, tragedy struck the Ocean Ranger oil rig when it capsized and sank in a severe weather storm 170 nautical miles east of St. John's, Newfoundland. All of the eighty-four crewmen perished, including fifty-six men from the province. This was Canada's greatest maritime disaster since World War II. Rig is a powerful story filled with first-person accounts and previously unpublished photographs. In an intimate journey through grief and sadness, "Rig" searches for reconciliation among the victims' families and those who risked their own lives to help those on the Ocean Ranger.

Genres: Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Born in the historic harbour city of St. John's, Newfoundland, Mike Heffernan was trained as a historical researcher at Memorial University. He now edits fiction in a variety of genres. Rig: An Oral History of the Ocean Ranger Disaster is his first non-fiction book.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tore my heart apart. Recollections from wives, partners, siblings, parents, friends, journalists and others about the sinking of the "unsinkable" semi-submersible oil-drilling rig, the Ocean Ranger, on February 15, 1982, off the coast of Newfoundland. I didn't know a thing about it until I heard Lisa Moore on CBC Radio not long ago (not surprising - I'm American and we're willfully ignorant of Canadian affairs, especially disasters our own companies have had their hands in).

Rig is deeply moving, a memorial, a tribute to the men who were just names outside of Newfoundland and their respective hometowns. One can read the Royal Commission's findings about the disaster and its causes, but read 'Rig' to remember the lives lost and those who will never be the same.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my dad who works offshore for Christmas. Having grown up in Newfoundland I have always heard about the Ocean Ranger disaster although it happened before I was born, I know of people personally affected and the basics of the tragedy.

After my father read it he had the most wonderful things to say about the book. He read it cover to cover within a week which is very unlikely for him. "Its the kind of book you can't put down" is what he said.

I borrowed it from him and began reading it Friday evening. I finished it at 4 in the morning on Saturday evening.

This is a touching, raw and stunning book that shares personal accounts and stories of those lost and those left behind to remember. I would recommend anyone to read this book and I put it up there with one of my favorite Newfoundland books next to Death on the Ice.

A must read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember clearly the night the Ocean Ranger went down. I was young, but hearing about it on the news is etched in my mind. There are few communities in Newfoundland and Labrador that weren't impacted by the loss of all the men on board. It was heartbreaking. When something like this happens, I'm always curious about the stories behind the stories. Rig delivers that in spades -- from loved ones, people in the industry and those who responded. Can't recommend this book enough -- and have countless times to people. I read it years ago and it has stayed with me.

[Kim Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was only 8 when the Ranger went down. I remember it was all over the news for a long time afterwards. As a child you don't fully understand the impact of such a tragedy but my Dad was friends with a man who died that night and he wanted to make us kids understand how important life, family, love and ocean safety are. I've grown up with a deep respect for the sea and the power she holds. This book was hard to read, to hear the stories first hand that were never reported on the news. I had to read it over a long stretch of time. It's heartbreaking. And maddening to see a bit more of how the almighty dollar and oil ruined so many lives that night and forever.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Lisa Moore's February , a fictional account of a family dealing with the loss of a loved one in the Ocean Ranger disaster I was curious. And being the Google girl that I am I researched the Ocean Ranger and came across this book which contains remembrances from friends and family members of those lost when the Ocean Ranger went down.

Very interesting, very heartbreaking...so often in stories like this sometimes the serendipity seems both fortunate and cruel. The one man who gives up his seat on the helicopter so that a group of workers can travel to the rig together, only to realize that simple choice saved his life and lost them theirs.

[Jason Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, it was difficult at times to read about how the disaster affected people so close to those who worked on the Ocean Ranger. However, as difficult as it was at times to read it is equally or more important to keep the lessons that we should have learned as a result of this tragedy from being forgotten. The book speaks to the world renowned character,and work ethic of Newfoundlanders A must read for all Newfoundlanders.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh,this so ripped my heart out! I was almost 12 the night of that horrendous storm in 1982 and I remember it like yesterday. Reading this brought me right back to 34 years ago. The various narratives here were so engrossing. The final outcome of it all and the arrogance of the oil companies are common knowledge but while I was reading I kept hoping for a different conclusion. Those poor,poor men.With a book like this,they cannot be forgotton.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't read this if you don't want to weep continuously all the way through it.

But definitely worth reading.