Pipeline: Episode 4 - "Soap Opera"
Host: Isabelle Stanley
Reporter: Andrew Jehring
Producer: Bella Soames
Episode Release Date: June 5, 2025
Introduction to the Tragedy
In February 2022, a routine diving operation off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago turned into a nightmare when five professional divers were tragically sucked hundreds of feet into an underwater oil pipeline. While one diver, Christopher Boodram, managed to escape, the remaining four were left to perish, sparking a crisis that would unravel issues of safety negligence, corporate responsibility, and political entanglements.
The Immediate Aftermath and Public Outcry
Following the disaster, surviving diver Christopher Boodram became the sole witness to the harrowing events. As families awaited news, frustration and anger mounted over the perceived inaction and lack of rescue efforts.
Isabelle Stanley [03:09]:
“Our families mourn, but they aren’t just sad, they’re angry.”
In response to public demands for accountability, Trinidad’s then Energy Minister Stuart Young initiated a public inquiry. The inquiry was streamed live, capturing the nation’s attention nightly as thousands tuned in to witness the unfolding drama.
Public Skepticism and Media Influence
As the inquiry progressed, skepticism about Christopher’s account began to surface, fueled largely by social media influencers like Rhoda Barreth.
Isabelle Stanley [07:38]:
“Rhoda Barreth, a well-known commentator, released previously unseen GoPro footage that showed no signs of the divers being alive, casting doubt on Christopher’s testimony.”
This footage, shared with her 66,000 Facebook followers, ignited a flurry of negative comments questioning the survivors' accounts and suggesting inconsistencies in their stories. The emotional toll on Christopher was immense, leading him to doubt his own memories.
Christopher Boodram [07:38]:
“I went mad off our reading social commentary and I was like, what's going on here? Sometimes I was even doubting my recollection of the events too.”
The Public Inquiry: Unveiling the Truth
Jerome Lynch, one of the UK’s top international criminal barristers, was appointed to lead the public inquiry. His extensive experience lent credibility to the investigation, which meticulously gathered testimonies and critical evidence.
Jerome Lynch [09:26]:
“We received tens of thousands of pages of material. We then scheduled a number of public hearings...”
A pivotal moment in the inquiry came with the revelation of authentic GoPro footage confirming the divers' survival inside the pipe, validating Christopher’s account and dispelling earlier doubts.
Jerome Lynch [11:52]:
“The GoPro footage was an essential part of the narrative... It was enough to corroborate what Christopher was saying.”
Christopher Boodram [13:02]:
“When the audio played, the whole country just realized this man was telling the truth.”
Root Cause Analysis: The Delta P Catastrophe
Engineer Zaid, a failure analysis consultant, explained that the incident was caused by a "Delta P" – a differential pressure scenario where the habitat’s high-pressure environment was compromised by a lower pressure in the oil pipeline.
Isabelle Stanley [18:08]:
“Zaid concluded the men were sucked into the pipe because of a Delta P...”
Weeks prior to the accident, a critical error occurred when the contractor, LMCS, removed more oil from the pipeline than intended, creating a vacuum that made the environment susceptible to a sudden surge of seawater and air when the inflatable plug was dislodged.
Andrew [22:08]:
“They created that situation and they would have mitigated it by changing the methodology with respect to removal of the plug.”
Corporate Negligence and Shared Responsibility
The inquiry's findings were damning for both Paria and LMCS, highlighting a complete oversight of the Delta P risk in their safety protocols.
Jerome Lynch [24:11]:
“It seemed to me that that is a cardinal error that no one gave proper consideration to.”
Despite shared responsibilities, the failure to recognize and mitigate the Delta P risk pointed to systemic negligence within both companies.
Personal Toll and Continued Struggles
The tragedy not only affected the families of the divers but also took a severe emotional toll on Christopher Boodram. As public skepticism eroded his confidence, the GoPro footage was the only beacon of truth that restored his mental stability.
Christopher Boodram [09:42]:
“I was unsure about my own mental state...”
Meanwhile, Kazim Ali Sr., owner of LMCS and father of one of the deceased divers, faced intense scrutiny during the inquiry, grappling with both personal grief and professional accountability.
Kazim Ali Sr. [26:10]:
“We didn't realize how much oil had been taken out because it was Paria's job to keep track.”
Jerome Lynch's Comprehensive Report
After extensive deliberation, Jerome Lynch concluded that the accident was a result of gross negligence by both Paria and LMCS, recommending that Paria be considered for corporate manslaughter charges.
Jerome Lynch [39:19]:
“It was a failure of a whole series of people.”
His 300-page report offered 52 recommendations aimed at preventing such disasters in the future, marking a significant moment of accountability.
Ongoing Frustrations and Unanswered Questions
Despite the inquiry’s conclusions, many, including Christopher Boodram, remained dissatisfied with the lack of actionable outcomes.
Christopher Boodram [42:01]:
“The inquiry was a waste of time. Millions of dollars were spent, but nothing was implemented.”
The investigation exposed a network of negligence and obfuscation, yet the quest for justice and truth continues as key players like Paria and their officials remain unresponsive.
Conclusion: A Tale of Tragedy and Accountability
"Soap Opera" delves deep into the multifaceted tragedy of the Parriere diving disaster, uncovering layers of corporate negligence, personal anguish, and the relentless pursuit of truth. As Pipeline continues to unravel this complex narrative, it raises critical questions about safety standards, corporate responsibility, and the very human cost of industrial oversight.
Notable Quotes:
-
Isabelle Stanley [32:38]:
“Once he knew the men were in the pipe, he decided it was too dangerous to let anyone else risk going in.” -
Colin Piper [35:24]:
“Put yourself in that position on that night... you simply do not understand what we went through that night.” -
Jerome Lynch [39:33]:
“It is unforgivable that no real attempt was made to rescue those men.”
Contact Information:
Get in touch: pipeline@dailymail.com
Support Christopher Boodram: Support Link
Credits:
Produced by Bella Soames
Sound Design by John Scott
Additional Reporting by Andrew Jehring
Additional Production by John Rogers
Executive Producers: Bella Soames, Jamie East
Pipeline continues to explore the depths of this tragedy in subsequent episodes, shedding light on the systemic failures that led to one of the most devastating industrial accidents in recent history.