It was a Monday morning 39 years ago today that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians awoke to the devastating news that the Ocean Ranger oil rig had sunk, with the loss of all 84 crewmembers.

It happened during a vicious Valentine’s Day winter storm off the east coast of the island.

A rogue wave during heavy seas struck the semi-submersible mobile drilling rig, breaking a porthole window and resulting in an inundation of water into the ballast control room, causing the rig to list.

A mayday was sent just after midnight on February 15, but rescue was hampered by the severe weather.

The last communication from the rig was around 1:30 a.m. indicating that the crew were going to the lifeboats. The rig sank shortly after 3 a.m.

Each year a memorial service is held at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, organized by Gonzaga High School where many of the victims had gone to school.

The service has been canceled for this year because of recent surging numbers of COVID-19. Instead, a pre-recorded memorial will be posted online.