Piper Alpha Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Piper alpha Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		58 27.962 N,0 15.52 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 58.466033
  • Longitude: 0.258667
Wreck Depth 86 m
Water Depth 144 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name PIPER ALPHA
Type Platform
Length 295 m
Width 120.1 m
Sonar Length 295
Sonar Width 120
Orientation 137
Tonnage 12500
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Mar 28, 1989
Original Detection Year 1988
Last Detection Year 1999
Original Source survey vessel
Markers Y SPAR FL(4) Y 15S, BELL. 500MTR EXCLUSION ZONE
Last Amended Date Jul 20, 1999

Simplified Wreck Survey

UK Hydrographic Office wreck details for Piper Alpha located in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland at coordinates 58 27.962 N, 0 15.52 E. The underwater wreckage of the Piper Alpha platform has a recorded least depth of 86.3 meters resting on a general seabed depth of 144 meters. The wreckage field is oriented 137/317 degrees with an overall length of approximately 295 meters, varying in width from 15 meters at the northwest end, 65 meters at the center, and 120 meters at the southeast end, with the platform structure cut off about 57 meters above the seabed. A permanent 500-meter safety and exclusion zone surrounds the wreck, which is marked by a yellow special mark navigation buoy displaying a flashing light characteristic of Fl(4) Y 15S with a bell and the identification name Piper Alpha or OME 1608.

Surveying Details

H3399/88 28.4.89 POSN 582801.1N, 001532.7E [EUR]. LEAST DEPTH RECORDED BY ROV USED TO EXAMINE WRECKAGE WAS 86.3MTRS. SURVEY WORK STILL PROGRESSING. (MARINE OCCIDENTAL, ABERDEEN, TLX DTD 24.4.89). NCA YET. HH254/440/01 18.8.89 WRECKAGE EXAM'D BETWEEN 28 MAR AND 2 APL '89. PLATFORM SHOWN CUT OFF SOME 57MTRS ABOVE GEN DEPTH OF 144MTRS, WITH LEAST DEPTH 86.3MTRS. CENTRE OF WRECKAGE IN 582800.1N, 001537.2E [EUR]. LIES 137/317 DEG WITH OVERALL LENGTH OF ABOUT 295MTRS. WIDTH 15MTRS AT NW END; 65MTRS AT CENTRE, 120MTRS AT SE END. (OCC. PETOLEUM LTD, POST TOPPLING SURVEY - PLAN AND PROFILE VIEWS). AMEND PLATFORM (DEST'D) IN 582800.1N, 001537.2E TO WK 86MTRS. - NM 2608/89. SHOW AS WK 86MTRS (ELONGATED DANGER CIRCLE) ON NC 244. N CARD, Q; S CARD, Q(6) + LFL 15S; E CARD, Q(3) 10S; & W CARD, Q(9) 15S AND 500MTR EXCLUSION ZONE RETAINED. HH254/440/01 20.11.89 NOW MARKED ONLY BY SPECIAL MARK BUOY LAID APPROX 100 MTRS NE OF WK. CHARACTERISTICS - FL(4) Y 15S, BELL, 'PIPER ALPHA'. 500MTR SAFETY ZONE REMAINS IN FORCE. (OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM LTD, TELEX 27.10.89). DELETE CARDINAL BUOYS. INS Y SPECIAL BUOY, FL(4) Y 15S, BELL, CLOSE NE OF WK. - NM 3389/89. HH254/440/03 16.4.91 BUOY NOW Y SPAR, FL(4) Y 15S, 'PIPER ALPHA, LAID IN 582804N, 001545E [EUR]. (OCCIDENTAL ABERDEEN, TLX DTD 8.3.91). AMEND BUOY. BR STD. HH160/350/02 23.5.91 BUOY NOW Y SPECIAL, FL(4) Y 15S, BELL, RARFL, 'OXY OME 1608'. (OXY MARINE CO-ORDINATOR (OFFSHORE), TLX DTD 19.5.91). NCA. HH254/440/04 15.5.92 BUOY REPOSITIONED IN 581804N, 001544E [EUR]. (MARINE COORDINATOR, EEC TLX DTD 12.5.92). NCA. HH254/440/04 9.11.92 FOLLOWING REPAIR BUOY REPOSITIONED IN 582801N, 001539.6E [OGB]. IDENTITY NOW 'OME 1608'. LT UNCHANGED. (ELF MARINE COORDINATOR, TLX DTD 1.11.92). AMEND BUOY POSN TO 582801N, 001539.5E AND IDENTITY TO 'OME'1608'. BR STD. HH254/400/02 16.8.96 BUOY REINSTATED IN 582803N, 111539E [EUR]. (C MARTIN, EECAL, ABERDEEN, TLX DTD 14.8.96). HH254/440/05 3.12.97 BUOY REDEPLOYED IN 582803N, 001539.5W [EUR]. (KINGFISHER BULLETIN 22/97). HH260/400/04 20.7.99 BUOY REINSTATED IN 5828.017N, 0015.587E [EUR]. (MRCC ABERDEEN, TLX DTD 13.7.99). NCA.

Circumstances of loss

6.7.88 PRODUCTION PLATFORM DESTROYED BY AN EXPLOSION 6.7.88. LEGS OF PLATFORM WERE CUT BY USE OF EXPLOSIVE CHARGES ON 28.3.89 ALLOWING THE UPPER PART TO COLLAPSE ONTO THE SEABED. (FOR FULL DETAILS SEE MSD).

General Comments

DESTROYED BY EXPLOSION, LATER TOPPLED

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 58 27.962 N,0 15.52 E
Piper Alpha on Wreck Map Piper Alpha Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the PIPER ALPHA wreck located?

The PIPER ALPHA wreck is located at coordinates 58 27.962 N,0 15.52 E.

How deep is the PIPER ALPHA and where exactly is it located?

The PIPER ALPHA lies at a depth of about 86 meters and is located at coordinates 58 27.962 N,0 15.52 E.

How deep is the seabed around the PIPER ALPHA?

The seabed around the PIPER ALPHA lies at approximately 144 meters deep.

When did the PIPER ALPHA sink?

The PIPER ALPHA sank on Mar 28, 1989.

When was the wreck of the PIPER ALPHA discovered?

The wreck of the PIPER ALPHA was discovered in 1988.

What was the tonnage of the PIPER ALPHA?

The PIPER ALPHA had a tonnage of 12500 tons.

What type of wreck is the PIPER ALPHA?

The PIPER ALPHA is classified as a platform.

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