The families of the rig workers that died when the Ocean Ranger oil rig sank 44 years ago were top of mind for Mike Heffernan on Sunday. “It was a major turning point in this province's history,” said Heffernan, whose father’s first cousin, Ron Heffernan, died on the Ocean Ranger. Mike Heffernan says he doesn't want anyone to forget the Ocean Ranger disaster. (CBC)The Ocean Ranger disaster happened because of a lack of safety standards and evacuation protocols at the time, said Heffernan. “One of the life rafts was still sitting on the deck of the Ocean Ranger when it capsized,” he said.

Source: CBC News February 16, 2026 19:55 UTC