Around 12:30 pm on April 11, 1991, the Haven had completed unloading some 230,000 tons of crude oil onto a floating platform. The crew disconnected from the platform and began a routine process of moving oil from outer tanks into the central hold. As the pump in the central hold engaged, there was a sharp noise before the hold exploded. Instantly, five crewmen were killed as fire erupted out of the hold soon engulfing the fore section tanker. Several boats responded to the scene and rescued the remaining crew who were on board.