Deepwater Pathfinder runs aground – Update with DP Commentary by John Konrad Rob Almeida Total Views: 117 December 14, 2010 gCaptain just got word from an unofficial source that the Deepwater Pathfinder drillship ran aground while pulling into Freeport, TX to onload their blow out preventer.  One of the thrusters was reportedly sheared off in the process.   This incident apparently occurred about three weeks ago and comes on the heels of an extended shipyard refit period in Mobile, AL. A harbor pilot was reported to have been on board at the time, however gCaptain has not yet received official comment or confirmation from Transocean on specifics surrounding the incident.  Follow the discussion here . LATEST UPDATE… Of course nobody at Transocean is talking on an official basis about this story, or even confirming it happened, but the latest update is that structural damage was not found on the Pathfinder and the forward thruster is being (or already has been) replaced. Circumstances: While entering the Freeport channel a 35 to 40 knot gust of wind hit the rig pushing it into shallow water.  The rig was under “hand steering” mode vice “DP mode” and the pilot and bridge crew were unable to react quick enough to keep the rig in the channel. DP commentary by John Konrad: It is clear that the Pathfinder had sufficient reserve power to overcome the gust but what remains uncertain is which for of hand steering was in use – the wheel or the sticks. We can assume the Pathfinder was using the traditional wheel in which the common configuration is to have all but the aft two thrusters propelling the ship forward. The aft two azimuthing thrusters are then slaved to the wheel giving the ship maneuvering characteristics very similar to that of a traditional ship.  Please note, these ships do not have a rudder.  When slaved to the wheel, the rotation of the aft two thrusters diverts the flow of water in a manner