"Ocean Star Drilling Rig & Museum" Galveston Travelogue by keeweechic

Galveston Travel Guide: 304 reviews and 589 photos

Main Entrance

Ocean Star Drilling Rig & Museum - Galveston

On the first floor there are videos and exhibits explain drilling, geology, seismic, well servicing and production.

Scale models of production platforms, actual drill bits and remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs)

The Wasp

Part of Diving Exhibit on the First Floor.

Personnel Basket (Billy Pugh)

The basket was named for Billy Pugh who invented it and is still the most reliable and safest way to transfer crew and bags between the boat and the rig. The offshore oil workers either travel to the rig by boat or. The ones that travel by boat have to transfer with all their gear into a personnel basket which is lowered down from by a rig crane from. They then only have a few seconds to toss their bags into the basket and jump aboard, clinging to the outside , all while dealing with the rocking of the boat. They remain on the outside rather than inside for safety reasons in case the cable should break, they can then jump away clear of the ropes. The crane then raises them up more than 100ft to the pipe deck. Working shifts on the rigs (or called hitches) can last from 7 to 30 days depending on how remote the rig is located at.

Pipe Deck

You can take the skywalk out onto the drill floor of the rig, or visit the exhibits on the pipe deck from the first floor of the museum.

Photos which are taken by myself and all headings are copyright and digitally marked. Please do not use them without permission. Thanks.
(c) keeweechic 2001-2006 (copyright)

Page Updated Mar 8, 2006
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Comments (9)

notfirstthenlast Jan 1, 2008 at 9:52 AM Report Abuse

Excited to try Casey's, arrived @ 8:37 p.m. and the greeter said, "Sorry we're closed - 8:30 p.m. on a Thursday???" Very disappointed!!!!
Jefie Aug 26, 2005 at 8:06 AM Report Abuse

I've just realized I forgot to leave a comment on your Galveston page: I looked it up when I was looking for places to visit in Texas and thanks to you I ended up spending a weekend in Galveston and had a great time. Beautiful city with lots of history!
diamonddog Feb 19, 2005 at 3:36 AM Report Abuse

Looks like a very nice place for a daytrip from Houston to Galveston. Your tips would be very helpfull thks!
dr.firas Mar 23, 2004 at 4:10 AM Report Abuse

Hey grilled shrimp and garlic that restaurant sounds like the one I like, good advice from the hotel!
bdbrewer Nov 20, 2003 at 11:38 AM Report Abuse

Daughter lives in Houston, so here frequently. Nice job with it.
XenoHumph Jul 2, 2003 at 2:00 PM Report Abuse

Great page on Galveston, very well done! Nice picts, you even managed to have the Strand look good on them!! I was disssapointed by Galveston when I saw all the growth buildings along the sea...
b1bob May 2, 2003 at 9:45 PM Report Abuse

No wonder Glenn Campbell wrote a song about it.
Sweetberry1 Oct 12, 2002 at 9:25 PM Report Abuse

Woww... This sure was worth waiting for.. FANTASTIC page!!! Love the Sacred Heart Church and the other Historical buildings. "SUPER" ;-)
pepples46 Oct 12, 2002 at 7:30 PM Report Abuse

love what I see..back soon!!