This is the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter I used to get to the platform. It can carry 18 people with their luggage. Most luggage was 20 lbs. or lighter. Most workers have permanent lockers o the platforms and leave most of their work clothes on the platforms. The flight was about an hour.

This is a photo taken out of the window of the helicopter as it approached the Platform. It might look big once you are on it but the helicopter laning dck looks pretty small from here!!!

These are the turbines that power the platform. They run on diesel and natural gas. The diesel has to be delivered by boat, the NG comes up from the ocean's floor!

These platforms are approximately 150 miles south of NOLA

The platform is 150 miles south of NOLA. If they make it here they probably die of thirst

I'm not allowed to take photos outside of the interior. Because of the fire hazard only spcial digital cameras are allowed on the deck. Also, you have to wear fire retardant overalls, hardhat, safety glasses, nomex gloves and steel toed boots!!

This is a top down look at the platform with the anchor chains in blue and data/production lines in red/green and the fiber optic cable in purple

This is the ops room for non-critical operations of computers, etc.

This is a new platform called "Tahiti." The object next to it is a "floatel," a work boat that can rise or lower to match the level of the platform. It has separate crew quarters so the size of the work force is not dependent on the quarters on the platform

The "floatel" has either left or is behind the platform. I can't get any closer with my zoom.

Update: I just checked the radar on Holstein and it appears the floatel" moved behind Tahiti

Self described "Coon Ass." He's as Cajun as anyone I've ever met

He worked in the ops room

These people were fantastic. They picked up laundry and usually got it back to you in hours. They cleaned the bunk rooms and replaced our towels and wash cloths everyday.

I loved his moustache

This show the various versions of "Spar" platforms. Spars have a central chamber in the center that can be raised or lowered by changeing the amount of water in the chamber. Holstein is the largest spar platform in the world.

This shows the progression of Hurricane Katrina in relation to the various platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

The metal rack that looks like hand holds on the top of the life boat is for pumping water over the exterior of the life boat in the event there is a fire on the water.

The life boats are tested once a year which involves lowering them to the water and then driving them a distance from the platform to test the engines. Apparently they move very slowly so it takes a while to move any distance. Each life boat can hold 89 people. this photo shows the driver.

All of the photos from here on were generously provided by Ross Moriarty, my primary point of contact on the platform.

The depth is in the data on the upper right of the photo

4347 ft. down to the sea floor beneath Holstein. This is as low as you can go

A crab checking out the equipment

The man is the baker who baked all of the items on the table. We eat VERY WELL on the platform.

Barbequeing on an oil platform is major procedure. Many safey checks including a second person present with a fume meter and fire extinguisher.