Energy and Petrochemicals, Incident-based learning
Video/Animation
Maersk: Gryphon FPSO Incident Film
We created safety and training films for Maersk Oil documenting the Gryphon FPSO storm incident and recovery.
CLIENT
Maersk Oil
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the 1st 24 Hours film was to remind the business of the Gryphon incident and its (emotional) impact on people. Also to learn the lessons from the way the team conducted themselves both onshore and offshore
APPROACH
The film recounts the events of that day through interviews with key personnel involved in the incident response. It emphasises the importance of preparation, training and professionalism under pressure.
Overview
In February 2011, Maersk Oil’s Gryphon FPSO suffered significant damage in vicious storms in the turbulent North Sea after nearly 20 years of uninterrupted service. Maersk personnel were called upon to act swiftly and calmly in order to deal with the crisis. This film recounts the events of that fateful day from the perspective of key figures involved at the time of the incident, and serves as a reminder that training, preparation and professionalism in the face of pressure are essential to maintaining a safe working environment.
We created an emotionally-impactful film that documents the chronology and the people involved in the recovery, implicitly conveying the emotional weight of dealing with adversity at sea, which helps internal audiences connect to the importance of safety, preparation, and professional conduct under pressure.
The Problem
The production team faced the challenge of documenting a serious operational incident in a way that was both accurate and respectful to those involved. The subject matter was emotionally sensitive, requiring contributors to revisit a high-pressure and potentially traumatic event.
The Solution
The story was told through various interviewees who worked both onshore and offshore at different levels of the organisation.
Questions included:
- How did your day start? And how were you feeling?
- What were the first indications that you had that something was wrong?
- What were your first thoughts and feelings?
- What role did you play in the incident?
- How did you feel when you realised how serious the incident was?
- What does the business need to learn from the incident?
The film focuses on the human impact of the Gryphon FPSO storm incident by documenting the recovery process and return to service following severe damage in a North Sea storm.
It presents first-hand accounts from personnel directly involved, capturing their experiences, reactions, and decision-making during the crisis. By combining interviews with operational footage, the film conveys the resilience and professionalism required to manage an unexpected offshore emergency.
This approach highlights the importance of calm, disciplined responses under extreme pressure and reinforces key safety and leadership principles for internal audiences.
Impact and Value
The film centres on the human side of the Gryphon FPSO storm incident by showing the immediate reactions of the team on the FPSO after it was badly damaged in a severe North Sea storm. Through first-person accounts and footage of personnel talking about the event, the video gives viewers a sense of response and resilience in the face of an unexpected offshore crisis. It underscores how personnel had to respond calmly and professionally in a high-pressure situation.
The film has been used as an internal learning and communication resource to support Maersk Oil’s safety and incident response training. By presenting real experiences from personnel involved in the Gryphon FPSO incident, it helps reinforce the practical and emotional realities of managing high-risk situations offshore.
The film supports organisational learning from incidents by encouraging reflection on decision-making, teamwork, and leadership under pressure. It’s also been referenced in industry coverage of the Gryphon recovery project, extending its value beyond internal training and contributing to wider discussion on offshore safety and operational resilience.
Overall, the film was very successful and became a highly effective learning tool, and won multiple international awards.
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