On 6th July 1988 The Piper Alpha disaster occurred which killed 167 workers off the coast of Aberdeen is the world's deadliest ever oil rig accident. A lack of communication at a shift change meant staff were not aware that they should not use a key piece of pipework which had been sealed with a temporary cover and no safety valve. Gas leaked out and ignited while firewalls that would have resisted fire on an oil platform failed to cope with the ensuing gas explosion. When the platform blew 167 out of 228 workers either on the rig or one of the safety standby vessels patrolling it died, 30 bodies have never been recovered. The platform was completely destroyed and it took almost three weeks for the fire to be brought under control by famed American wild well controller, Red Adair, A memorial is set out for those that lost their lives in Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, the oil industry Chapel, St. Nicholas' Kirk, Aberdeen, includes a stained-glass Piper Alpha Memorial Window
