Rig: An Oral History of the Ocean Ranger Disaster

In the early hours of February 15, 1982, tragedy struck the Ocean Ranger oil rig when it capsized and sank in a severe weather storm 170 nautical miles east of St. Johns, Newfoundland. All of the eighty-four crewmen perished, including fifty-six men from the province. This was Canadas greatest maritime disaster since World War II. Rig is a powerful story filled with first-person accounts and previously unpublished photographs. In an intimate journey through grief and sadness, Rig searches for reconciliation among the victims families and those who risked their own lives to help those on the Ocean Ranger.

Born in the historic harbour city of St. John's, Newfoundland, Mike Heffernan was trained as a historical researcher at Memorial University. He now edits fiction in a variety of genres. Rig: An Oral History of the Ocean Ranger Disaster is his first non-fiction book.