[BITList] Just In Case You Think It Can't Happen!!

FA franka at iinet.net.au
Sun Oct 28 08:43:54 GMT 2012 

Glad I don't have to go though this performance any more
frank



In case you’re ever bored with the Helicopter Briefings and think it’s 
all a waste of time, this incident occurred yesterday in the North Sea. 
Here are some people that are likely very thankful for the training 
they’ve received…and for the fact that North Sea was duck pond calm on 
the day.
Anyway, thankfully no one was hurt or killed and we can all learn that 
there really is a reason to pay close attention to your Helicopter Briefing.
*Pictured: Dramatic moment 19 oil rig workers were rescued from the 
water after their helicopter was forced to make emergency landing off 
Shetland coast*

  * *Super Puma helicopter ditched between Shetland and Orkney islands***
  * *Men on board helped on to passing cargo ship and flown to mainland***
  * *Helicopter was kept afloat with flotation bags until it could be
    taken away***
  * *Super Puma helicopter fleets grounded as investigation begins*

This is the dramatic moment a major rescue operation began after a 
helicopter carrying 19 oil rig workers ditched in the sea.
Photographs of the Super Puma helicopter being kept afloat off the coast 
of Shetland were released for the first time today after every man was 
helped to safety.
Rescuers then faced a race against time to lift the aircraft into a 
recovery vessel before it sank.
Emergency: Rescuers head towards a Super Puma helicopter which was 
forced to make an emergency landing off the coast of Shetland with 19 
oil rig workers on board
Emergency: Rescuers head towards a Super Puma helicopter which was 
forced to make an emergency landing off the coast of Shetland with 19 
oil rig workers on board
Floating: Rescuers then faced a race against time to lift the aircraft 
into a recovery vessel before it sank
Floating: Rescuers then faced a race against time to lift the aircraft 
into a recovery vessel before it sank
Flotation bags had been fixed to the bottom of the helicopter, but they 
could only hold it up for a short period.
The aircraft was successfully loaded on to anchor-handling tug supply 
vessel, the Olympic Zeus, today and the vessel was on its way back to 
the mainland, due to arrive at Peterhead at 3.30am on Wednesday.
The helicopter, operated by Aberdeen-based CHC Helicopters, made an 
emergency landing in the sea 14 miles west of Fair Isle, between Orkney 
and Shetland, at about 3.30pm on Monday.
It landed about 200 metres from a ship, the Nord Nightingale, which was 
taking a cargo load of diesel on its way from Primorsk in Russia to 
Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Aids: Two life rafts from the ditched helicopter were used to help the 
oil rig workers to safety
Aids: Two life rafts from the ditched helicopter were used to help the 
oil rig workers to safety
On the waves: Oil rig workers are taken by boat from their ditched 
helicopter to the Nord Nightingale
On the waves: Oil rig workers are taken by boat from their ditched 
helicopter to the Nord Nightingale
An RAF rescue helicopter helps men to safety
Another oil rig worker is lifted to safety
Operation: The oil rig workers were lifted from the water and helped to 
the safety of a passing ship
A rescuer helps an oil rig worker on to the ship Nord Nightingale, which 
was only 200 metres from where the helicopter landed
Oil rig workers recover after being helped on board the Nord Nightingale
Recovery: The workers were taken to Aberdeen after they were helped on 
board the ship Nord Nightingale, which was only 200 metres from where 
the helicopter landed
In command: The Nord Nightingale's master, Bo Rosenborg, said everyone 
was 'calm and focused' once the rescue operation got under way
In command: The Nord Nightingale's master, Bo Rosenborg, said everyone 
was 'calm and focused' once the rescue operation got under way
The ship's crew went to help the oil rig workers and brought them 
onboard the vessel.The men were flown back to Aberdeen today.
The ship's master, Bo Rosenborg, said: 'My officer on duty alerted me to 
the emergency landing.
'It was very close to our ship, maybe about 200 metres behind it.
'We reduced our speed and turned around as quickly as we could and 
contacted the Shetland coastguard.
'It was agreed that we would try to commence the rescue operation. It 
was very exciting, we were all keen to see if everyone was okay.
'Once the operation got under way, everyone was calm and focused.
'We agreed to try and get the crew on board and sent out a rescue craft.
'We managed to bring all 19 passengers on to the vessel, where they were 
then transferred to two rescue helicopters.
'We were lucky that the weather was good, which made things easier for 
us. Thankfully, the controlled landing was so good that there were no 
injuries.'
Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch are expected 
to interview the helicopter's two pilots about the incident.
The Helicopter Safety Steering Group will also discuss the matter at a 
meeting on Wednesday.
Mission: The Super Puma Helicopter that ditched into the north sea near 
Orkney this week carrying 19 oil workers is craned back to shore
Mission: The Super Puma Helicopter that ditched into the north sea near 
Orkney this week carrying 19 oil workers is craned back to shore
Salvaged: The helicopter was tugged through the night to Peterhead harbour
Salvaged: The helicopter was tugged through the night to Peterhead harbour
Helicopter locator
Helicopter locator
Offshore carriers have grounded their fleets of Super Puma helicopters 
following the emergency.
The incident has concerned unions representing offshore workers, who 
today said there was 'growing fear' among members about helicopter safety.
The Unite union wants to ban the use of the 'Dacon Scoop', a net and 
winch device for rescuing people from the water.
Unite industrial Officer John Taylor said: 'We go into this emergency 
meeting of the HSSG with serious concerns about whether these aircraft 
are fit for purpose and to make clear our members growing fears over 
wider safety procedures for offshore helicopter rescue, particularly 
where the rescue fall-back plans involve the use of the Dacon Scoop.
'It's unacceptable to Unite and our members that helicopters should be 
allowed to fly where conditions are deemed so hazardous that being 
fished-out of the sea by a mechanical device from a rescue vessel is the 
last line of safety.
'Mercifully there were no fatalities with this latest incident, largely 
due to the skills of the pilot crew, the close proximity of the Nord 
Nightingale tanker in the waters off Shetland and the elements.
'They were lucky but we can't always rely on luck and we need to 
tighten-up industry safety standards now.'
It is the second time in seven months that the crew of the Nord 
Nightingale has been called out on a sea rescue.
In March it helped an injured competitor who had been taking part in the 
Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.
He suffered serious head cuts after being hurled across the cabin during 
severe storms in the middle of the Pacific.
The Nord Nightingale, which was in the area at the time, took him on 
board where he was treated for his injuries.
The yachtsman's teammates then continued the race.
Survivors: Oil rig workers wait to be taken to the mainland from the 
cargo ship as their helicopter floats on the water in the distance
Survivors: Oil rig workers wait to be taken to the mainland from the 
cargo ship as their helicopter floats on the water in the distance
Ditched: The helicopter made an emergency landing in the sea 14 miles 
west of Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland, at about 3.30pm on Monday
Ditched: The helicopter made an emergency landing in the sea 14 miles 
west of Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland, at about 3.30pm on Monday
Buoyancy: The red helicopter carrying the oil rig workers was kept 
afloat by flotation bags
Buoyancy: The red helicopter carrying the oil rig workers was kept 
afloat by flotation bags
Investigation: A photograph of the ditched helicopter, taken at night by 
members of the RNLI. The aircraft's pilots are to be interviewed about 
the incident
Investigation: A photograph of the ditched helicopter, taken at night by 
members of the RNLI. The aircraft's pilots are to be interviewed about 
the incident
Stay safe…and take care!!





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