It has been 25 years since the province witnessed the worst offshore drilling accident in Canadian history with the sinking of the Ocean Ranger on February 15, 1982.

All 84 crew were lost when the Ocean Ranger sank in a terrible winter storm, forever changing the lives of victims� families and friends and the footprint of the offshore on the entire province.

"On behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, I today express my sincere sadness for the tremendous loss of life that occurred on that tragic day 25 years ago," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "The Ocean Ranger disaster impacted so many lives in our province and still, today, family and friends mourn their losses. As we remember that terrible event in our province's history, let us also celebrate the lives and legacies of those who were lost and honour their memories."

Premier Williams will attend a service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ocean Ranger Disaster at St. Pius X Church on 10:45 a.m. on February 15, 2007.

"The legacy of the Ocean Ranger and the 84 lives that were lost is with us everyday in everything we do; it is an important reminder that safety on our offshore platforms and for those who work on them is paramount," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "It is essential that we always remember what happened that day and ensure that safety is the number one consideration in the development of our offshore."

The Ocean Ranger was doing petroleum exploration drilling on the Grand Banks when high seas and winds contributed to capsizing the rig. Exploration drilling has continued since then, with government and industry working together to significantly improve safety standards and practices for offshore petroleum exploration and development.

"While our offshore is safer now as industry and regulators implemented policies based on the lessons learned from the Ocean Ranger, it is a never-ending process of strengthening standards as new technologies and ways of doing things are introduced," Minister Dunderdale said. "Every decision we make with respect to the offshore is to the backdrop of the Ocean Ranger to ensure that no tragedy like this ever happens again."

A wreath-laying ceremony by victims� families will be held at the Ocean Ranger Memorial at the front of Confederation Building at noon on February 15. The ceremony is open to the public. The memorial includes a small garden, sculpture and a brass plaque bearing the names of those who died. The ceremony follows the annual Gonzaga High School memorial service at St. Pius X Church. Five Ocean Ranger victims were former students of the school.

Each year, memorial wreaths are also dropped into the ocean from the decks of production platforms and drilling rigs.

Minister Dunderdale encourages all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reflect on the tragedy Thursday and to remember the victims and their families.

"Oil and gas development continues to be a symbol of prosperity and promise in Newfoundland and Labrador, but we must remember the sacrifice of the Ocean Ranger victims and their families along that path," said Minister Dunderdale. "Our people are our most valuable resource and their safety comes above all else."

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2007 02 14                                            10:25 a.m.