Pipeline: Episode 1 - "39 Hours"

Host: Isabelle Stanley
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Producer: Bella Soames
Additional Reporting: Andrew Jehring
Sound Design: John Scott

1. Introduction: A Day Turned Tragic

Isabelle Stanley opens the episode by immersing listeners in the harrowing experience of four professional divers trapped in an oil pipe beneath the Caribbean Sea off Trinidad and Tobago.

Isabelle Stanley [00:01]: "Seriously popular. This is a story about four men. You're listening to their voices now, trapped in an oil pipe 60ft underwater."

The incident occurred on February 25, 2022, when Faisal Kerban, Kazamali Junior, Rishi Nagasar, and Yusuf Henry were repairing a leaking underwater oil pipeline. Suddenly, they were sucked into the very pipe they were servicing, plunging hundreds of feet below the sea's surface.

Isabelle Stanley [01:05]: "This might sound like a horror film... but it isn't. These are four real men."

2. The Community's Grief and Quest for Justice

The tragedy not only devastated the families but also left the Trinidadian community in mourning. Memorials with the divers' photos adorned the town, demanding justice.

Kaz Ali [02:48]: "Four families are still suffering because four breadwinners died and in our view, were butchered by a system run by people who don't know what they're doing."

3. Uncovering the Layers of Betrayal

Isabelle delves into the complexities surrounding the incident, uncovering potential motives behind the lack of rescue efforts. Her investigation reveals lucrative contracts, lax safety standards, and opaque political ties that may have contributed to the divers' demise.

Isabelle Stanley [02:59]: "Following that question has taken me across the Atlantic Ocean... I've had to scrutinise the most powerful people in Trinidad."

4. The Heart of LMCS: Kaz Ali Sr. and Kaz Ali Jr.

Central to the story is LMCS (Land and Marine Contracting Services), owned by Kaz Ali Sr., who employs the divers. Kaz Sr.'s dedication to his work is mirrored by his son, Kaz Ali Jr., who was poised to take over the company.

Isabelle Stanley [08:24]: "Kaz and Catherine couldn't be more different... They've been together for almost 50 years."

The father-son dynamic adds emotional depth, especially as Kaz Sr. grapples with the loss of his son, Kaz Jr., who also perished in the tragedy.

Kaz Ali Jr. [12:11]: "It's been pretty painful, hasn't it?"

5. Personal Stories: Lives Interrupted

The episode features intimate interviews with the families of the divers, offering a glimpse into their lives and the void left by their sudden absence.

Silecia Carbon – Wife of Faisal:

Silecia Carbon [13:18]: "We had arranged funeral... but then they said..."

Vanessa – Wife of Rishi:

Vanessa [19:58]: "Only thing is I went to the washroom... and he ran to Nashik, he holds him from the crib and he started to hug him up and kiss him."

These personal anecdotes highlight the stark contrast between the divers' professional bravery and their personal lives, making the tragedy all the more poignant.

6. The Fateful Day: February 25, 2022

Isabelle recounts the events of the tragic day, detailing the routine operations that turned deadly. The divers were performing their tasks efficiently until the moment disaster struck.

Isabelle Stanley [22:36]: "It was no different. It was a Friday."

As they worked to remove a plug sealing the oil pipe, water levels began to rise abruptly. Despite being monitored, the rescue efforts failed, leaving the divers trapped.

Isabelle Stanley [22:38]: "On a boat just above them, another LMCS employee is monitoring their activities. On a screen he hears a splash. Then the screen goes blank."

7. The Aftermath: Grief and Questions

The recovery of the divers' bodies took over three days, intensifying the families' anguish and raising critical questions about the incident's handling.

Isabelle Stanley [24:19]: "What went wrong? Why were they sucked in? And how long were they alive inside that pipe?"

8. A Sole Survivor: Christopher Frank Woodjeram

A pivotal revelation comes with the introduction of Christopher Frank Woodjeram, the lone survivor of the tragedy. His account provides a crucial perspective on why the others were not rescued in time.

Christopher Frank Woodjeram [25:25]: "Our divers... should have survived too. They should have been rescued."

His testimony underscores the systemic failures that may have contributed to the loss of the four divers.

9. Ongoing Investigation and Unanswered Questions

Isabelle highlights the lack of responses from key organizations involved, such as Paria Fuel Trading Company and the Trinidad Coast Guard, leaving many questions unanswered.

Isabelle Stanley [26:34]: "We've contacted Pariah and the Trinidad Coast Guard for comment and have not received a response."

Key Takeaways

• Tragic Incident: On February 25, 2022, four professional divers were sucked into an underwater oil pipe in Trinidad and Tobago, leading to their untimely deaths.
• Community Impact: The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, with memorials and ongoing demands for justice.
• Investigative Depth: The podcast uncovers potential negligence and systemic issues within the oil industry and local governance.
• Personal Stories: Interviews with the families of the divers add emotional weight, highlighting the personal losses behind the professional roles.
• Sole Survivor's Account: Christopher Frank Woodjeram's survival raises critical questions about rescue operations and systemic failures.
• Unanswered Questions: Ongoing investigations face silences from responsible organizations, leaving the truth obscured.

Notable Quotes

• Isabelle Stanley [00:01]: "You're listening to their voices now, trapped in an oil pipe 60ft underwater."
• Kaz Ali [02:48]: "Four families are still suffering because four breadwinners died..."
• Kaz Ali Jr. [12:11]: "It's been pretty painful, hasn't it?"
• Christopher Frank Woodjeram [25:25]: "They should have been rescued."

Next Episode Preview:
In the following installment of Pipeline, Isabelle Stanley continues her investigation, delving deeper into the political and corporate entanglements that may have led to the tragedy. Stay tuned for more revelations and untold stories.

Contact & Support:
For more information or to support the podcast, reach out to pipeline@dailymail.com or support Christopher Boodram here.