Pipeline Podcast Episode 3: "Guns and Divers"

Host: Isabelle Stanley
Release Date: May 29, 2025
Producer: Bella Soames
Additional Reporting: Andrew Jehring

Introduction: The Desperate Quest for Rescue

Episode 3 of Pipeline, titled "Guns and Divers," delves deeper into the harrowing events following the February 2022 accident where professional divers were sucked into an underwater oil pipe off Trinidad and Tobago. The episode focuses on the intense efforts to rescue the trapped divers, the resistance faced from the managing company Paria, and the emotional toll on the families involved.

Michael Kirban's Determined Plea

The episode opens at a press conference with Michael Kirban, whose father, Faisal, is among the four divers trapped in the pipe. Michael’s frustration is palpable as he implores management to allow rescue operations:

Michael Kirban [00:28]: "All I don't want the men who really want to rescue these guys outside on the site. They don't want us there. They cannot run this operation. They cannot run this operation."

Visibly exhausted and on the verge of tears, Michael reveals his extensive efforts over the past two days to save his father, including devising multiple rescue plans and personally diving into the pipe:

Michael Kirban [00:59]: "Our divers was ready to go in the line. We were ready to go and send."

Despite his relentless attempts, Michael's efforts are continually obstructed by the company's directives, leaving him grappling with despair as hope fades.

Journey to Berth Six: Encountering Paria's Resistance

Isabelle Stanley and her team set sail from the San Fernando Yacht Club towards the disaster site at Berth Six. Accompanied by Kaz Amali Sr., the owner of LMCS and father of Kaz Jr., they arrive at the ominous scene:

Kaz Amali Sr. [03:21]: "That's fine. So it's not far. Probably about. We might take about five to 10 minutes to reach out there."

Upon arrival, the divers, including Ronald Ramatar and Corey, prepare to enter the water despite Paria officials' orders against diving:

Ronald Ramatar [07:27]: "But I didn't say nobody. As I reached, I went into the water."

Ronald's determination leads him to successfully rescue Christopher Boodram from the pipe using a rope as a ladder:

Ronald Ramatar [07:42]: "I heard that voice calling, you know, as I heard that voice calling, I climb up. When I climb up and I look down inside the pipe, I saw Christopher."

Conflict with the Coast Guard

As dusk turns to night, the situation intensifies. Paria calls in the Coast Guard to assist, but their response is inadequate:

Ronald Ramatar [12:20]: "They said they're not equipped for that. They're not trained for that. And they're not going down there. They're not even going inside the chamber."

Frustrated by the lack of support, Ronald and his team attempt to take matters into their own hands, only to be halted by armed Coast Guard officials who enforce a strict no-diving policy:

Ronald Ramatar [13:07]: "They didn't point it at us. But you know that are going alone. That is enough to fit the higher in fear."

Families on Land: A Community in Crisis

Parallel to the rescue efforts, the episode portrays the emotional devastation experienced by the families. Vanessa, Rishi’s wife, recounts her anguish upon learning of her husband's disappearance:

Vanessa [20:07]: "And my hand started to shake because I could not hold the phone."

Families converge at the yacht club’s car park, enduring the elements while seeking information and support. The lack of official communication exacerbates their distress, leading to chaos and frustration as they await updates.

Paria's Press Conference: A Moment of Betrayal

After 24 agonizing hours, Paria holds a press conference to inform the families that the operation has shifted from rescue to recovery:

Paria Chairman Newman George [30:31]: "Based on advice from all the experts, the operation has now moved from rescue to recovery."

The announcement is met with disbelief and anger, especially when Mushtaq Mohammed, Paria's general manager, behaves unprofessionally by laughing at the grieving families:

Mushtaq Mohammed [26:18]: Laughs at the families, showing blatant disrespect and insensitivity.

The Tragic Outcome: Bodies Recovered

Despite initial efforts, only three bodies are recovered, leaving uncertainty about the fate of the fourth diver. Vanessa recognizes that her husband, Rishi, is not among them:

Vanessa [34:07]: "It's not him. There's nothing in it. I see nothing in him."

The delayed and insufficient rescue operations result in profound loss and unanswered questions about the management and safety protocols that led to the tragedy.

Continued Pursuit for Accountability

In the aftermath, the host hints at ongoing investigations and efforts to hold Paria accountable. Isabelle Stanley and her team pursue leads on key Paria personnel, including retired Colin Piper, to uncover the root causes of the disaster and the company's role in obstructing rescue operations.

Ronald Ramatar [37:36]: "Put yourself in that position on that evening when you have to make a decision to send a man into a pipeline a quarter of a mile long."

Conclusion and Next Steps

Episode 3 paints a vivid and emotional picture of the relentless struggle between the divers' families and the managing company, highlighting themes of desperation, frustration, and the quest for truth. As the episode concludes, listeners are left anticipating the next installment, which promises to delve into Paria's official account of the tragic events.

Next Episode Preview:
In the following episode of Pipeline, listeners will hear Paria’s perspective on the accident and the company's defense of their actions during the rescue efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Kirban [00:28]: "They cannot run this operation."
• Ronald Ramatar [07:27]: "I went into the water."
• Vanessa [20:07]: "I was screaming, yelling, and this cannot be true."
• Mushtaq Mohammed [26:18]: Laughs at the families.
• Newman George [30:31]: "Operation has now moved from rescue to recovery."
• Ronald Ramatar [37:36]: "You have to make a decision to send a man into a pipeline a quarter of a mile long."

Pipeline continues to unravel the complexities and controversies surrounding the 2022 diving accident, offering listeners an in-depth exploration of accountability, safety standards, and the human cost of industrial disasters.