What Crew Members Say About Petrel

Magin Luis Caballero has initiated a £7 million legal battle following severe injuries he sustained when the 'Petrel' capsized at Imperial Dock in Leith on March 22, 2023. This incident, which resulted in over 30 injuries, is now the subject of a lawsuit against the US government. Caballero, an assistant cook on the vessel for US Navy contractor Oceaneering International and a resident of Houston, Texas, alleges negligence on the part of the US government, citing a failure to ensure a safe working environment. Caballero's legal team is demanding $10 million, seeking compensation for various aspects including "mental anguish, pain and suffering, physical impairment and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, past and future medical expenses, maintenance and cure, attorney's fees and loss of earnings." Although filed in the US District Court in Texas, a judge has determined that the case will be processed in Florida, where the 'Petrel' is currently stationed. The lawsuit details events from March 22, 2023, stating: "The Vessel was secured in a drydock in Leith, Edinburgh, but Defendant's agents and/or servants failed to properly secure the Vessel in drydock. At approximately 8:35 a.m., strong winds struck, dislodging the Vessel and leading to its topple. Mr. Caballero was in the galley at the time and was violently thrown across the room, colliding with a table, which resulted in serious, life-altering injuries." After the incident, Caballero was taken to a local hospital and later returned to the United States weeks later for continued care. He remains unable to return to work and requires extensive ongoing medical treatment. The lawsuit emphasizes that Caballero’s injuries were not a result of his actions or inactions, but rather a direct consequence of the negligence exhibited by the Defendant or its representatives. He asserts that the Defendant had an absolute obligation to provide a safe working environment, which they failed to uphold.

A year has elapsed since the tragic capsizing of the 'Petrel' at the Imperial Dock in Leith on March 22, 2023, and investigations led by officers in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are still in progress. The incident left 35 individuals injured, with several sustaining life-altering injuries that have significantly impacted their lives. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident has been thorough, extending over the past 12 months. HSE officials are working alongside Police Scotland to uncover detailed insights into the incident. In the meantime, legal representatives are assisting some of the injured parties in their recovery journeys, yet essential findings from the ongoing investigation have yet to be released. Notably, Digby Brown is providing support to 13 individuals from four different countries, many of whom are dealing with severe and life-changing injuries. Their primary goal is to ensure that every affected person receives access to improved medical care, aiming for the most favorable outcomes in their physical recovery.

In a remarkable deep-sea exploration funded by billionaire Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, five Japanese warships lost during World War II have been discovered in the southern Philippines. The announcement was made on December 7, 2017, by the research team aboard the vessel 'Petrel,' which docked at Suriago, located on the northern tip of Mindanao Island, just days before, on December 3. The expedition, which took place between November 22 and November 29, unveiled images of what are believed to be the wrecks of the Imperial Japanese Navy ships 'Yamashiro,' 'Fuso,' 'Yamagumo,' 'Asagumo,' and 'Michishio.' These vessels were part of the infamous Battle of Surigao Strait fought from the night of October 24 until the early morning of October 25, 1944. In this pivotal battle, the outnumbered Japanese forces clashed with U.S. and Australian naval forces in a desperate bid to maintain control over the Philippines. tragically, around 4,000 Japanese combatants lost their lives in the confrontation. The explorations revealed the Fuso-class battleships 'Yamashiro' and 'Fuso' found overturned, with 'Yamashiro' remaining intact while 'Fuso' suffered severe damage. In addition, the Asashio-class destroyers 'Asagumo' and the possible 'Michishio' were discovered largely intact, whereas the probable 'Yamagumo' was split into two pieces. The presumed wrecks of 'Yamagumo' and 'Michishio' were located just two kilometers apart at a depth exceeding 100 meters. Due to their nearly identical structures, the team could not confirm their exact identities. The other vessels were submerged in significantly deeper waters, approximately 200 meters. Experts noted that the condition of the wrecks was poor, with a substantial amount of marine growth now providing a habitat for various sea life. Despite the thorough exploration, no remains of sailors from the sunken ships were found, and the research team was committed to preserving these sites as war graves, showing respect for the souls lost in battle. The data collected during this expedition will be shared with Japan’s National Institute of Defense Studies located in Tokyo and the Kure Maritime Museum, also known as the Yamato Museum, in Hiroshima Prefecture. Following the discoveries in the Surigao Strait, the Petrel continued its mission to nearby Ormoc Bay, uncovering the wrecks of two U.S. Navy destroyers: the USS 'Ward' and the USS 'Cooper,' situated at depths of around 250 meters. Notably, the USS 'Ward' holds the distinction of being the first U.S. naval vessel to fire a shot in World War II. On December 1, 2017, the expedition's ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) was deployed to examine and document the remnants of the ship. The USS 'Ward,' a Wickes-class destroyer, was on patrol near Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when its crew spotted an 80-foot-long midget submarine attempting to infiltrate the harbor. Within moments, the destroyer fired the first American shot of the war, successfully sinking the enemy sub. Only an hour later, the larger Japanese aerial assault on Pearl Harbor commenced. Tragically, on December 7, 1944, exactly three years later, the USS 'Ward' met its fate during a kamikaze attack while patrolling Ormoc Bay. Struck amidships, the crew was compelled to abandon ship, and the vessel was ultimately scuttled by the USS 'O’Brien' under the command of Lieutenant Commander William Outerbridge, who had previously led the USS 'Ward' during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Remarkably, only one crew member was reported injured during that fateful day. For further details, be sure to check out the comprehensive reports, photos, and videos from the expedition.