Whale rescue in the high seas – a courageous act of marine stewardship

An extraordinary event occurred on the 13th of July as the dedicated and compassionate crew of STAPEM Offshore once again demonstrated their commitment to the environment and marine life. The story unfolded during an afternoon shift on the FPSO Pazflor located in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The deck team, consisting of José Makitoko, Josias Ntela, Pascoal Mbambi, and crane operator José Kuilo, were preparing for the afternoon’s tasks when they noticed something unusual. A whale was slowly ascending along the port side of the FPSO Pazflor, seemingly in distress. Unlike its oceanic counterparts, the gentle giant did not dive into the water and appeared to be dragging something behind.

Without hesitation, they alerted the deck supervisor, Georges Colleter, who swiftly assessed the situation. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he sought permission from the site manager to send the marine team to investigate further. The manager gave the green light but urged the team to take no unnecessary risks.

Swiftly springing into action, the marine team, comprising Ezequiel Nascimento, Franck Mazzilli, Aleixo Yaba, and Rémi Carrara, embarked on a mission of mercy. Assisted by the deck team, the workboat was launched, and the team set course towards the troubled marine creature, found a mile north of Pazflor, near the offloading buoy.

Approaching cautiously, they were able to observe that the whale was indeed entangled in a large fishing net, hindered further by an enormous attached float. Unperturbed, the team decided to aid the whale by carefully cutting away the net, a task they knew required patience, courage, and precision.

With a diving knife attached to the pole of a gaff, they began the delicate task of cutting the net away. The operation took an intense three hours, with the whale retreating intermittently, only to stop and allow the team to continue their work.

After tireless efforts, the team finally managed to free the whale, and the net was secured to the back of their boat. They took a few more photos for record-keeping before heading back to the Pazflor. Shortly after their departure, the whale dived and disappeared, undoubtedly relieved and grateful for the unexpected rescue.

The STAPEM Offshore crew’s quick thinking and selfless act not only saved the life of a magnificent creature but also further safeguarded our marine environment by removing a large piece of abandoned fishing net, which was later discarded appropriately.

This extraordinary event serves as a testament to the values of STAPEM Offshore and its dedicated team, who, along with their professional duties, embrace a stewardship role towards our precious marine life.