Gryphon Alpha FPSO
A BBC report (forwarded by Cheryl Anderson) indicates that 70+ workers were safely evacuated from the Gryphon Alpha Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility in the UK sector of the North Sea. Four of the FPSO’s ten mooring lines failed in 30-foot seas and high winds which allowed the vessel to roll up to 12 degrees. Â 40 essential personnel remained aboard the facility.
While mooring system failures have been relatively common during hurricanes and other major storms (in the Gulf of Mexico, this problem was addressed through comprehensive MMS-industry programs after the 2005 hurricane season), such failures are much less common at floating production facilities. We await the findings of the UK’s inquiry.
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 
Lucky for all, and also that the ship drifting did not rip off the numerous live subsea well head and pipelines all around this location. Overtrawlable or snag free wellhead protection structure may be adequate for fishing gear interference, but certainly not for anchors chains tangled up on a ship of this size in 60 knots wind ? Any chains emergency release system ? accostic or breakaway ?
The risk of collision with other fixed installation is not to be discounted, with no tugs or easy assistance in the vicinity, and particularly when the weather makes these system unworkeable.
Excellent points.
This story has not mentioned what can be read in the following article:
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread662162/pg1
This includes mention of gas risers being tangled within the remaining chains… gas release clouds that apparently have yet not been reported.
Makes good reading
However i as with others are glad the hard workers off the gryphon “Maersks flag ship lol” are safe.
Bring on the yard is what they will be thinking now