Helicopter ditches in North Sea (Ditching Aug23 2013) - Public Inquiry

Other copter model is russian mi-38 which carry up to 20 people so maybe buy this one to be safe fly as super puma seem has lots of problems mainly rotor geaebox that didnt well.. so maybe look for different one to see if it safe for oil workers. Hope these 3 missing are found and safe well... it very dangerous for oil workers to use helicopter for more than 100 miles ride..
 
Local news is still reporting 3 missing. The bibby topaz dive vessel left Aberdeen harbour just after midnight, its been used in previous recovery operations.
 
Why cant they design a flying boat helo? I mean those amphibious type ones. That way a ditching will be safer cuz the thing will naturally float.

Why dont they use this type to ferry people to the rigs?

 
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The helicopters in question are designed to float unfortunately this one rolled over on impact. First reports from survivors say the helicopter lost power and hit the water with no time to brace or mayday. Reports also say the life rafts were found empty with all 15 survivors having to be pulled from the water.
 
FYI I'm fine.

Was on an S92 back from the Seawell/Dunlin-A earlier, was literally flying over Shetland in a heli an hour before the ditching...... ************

Another ****up in the face is that we've (our company, us 2/6 guys) been out on the Borgsten Dolphin 3 times in the last 6 months on this exact flight..................

I got back from beers/cocktails/getting ****ed a short while ago and am still up having a Rekorderlid and will have my tequila and vodka shortly, cannot sleep tonight. This has given my 'finding an onshore job' a huge kick up the ass.

My thoughts are with lost last night!

Adam
 
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I did the bosiet course this week and am due off shore in a week or so. I originally thought escaping from an upside down helicopter can't be that difficult and in the pool it turned out to not be so bad, but gave me a full understanding of how hard it would be in a real situation with seats 3 deep. The panic, dark and cold with only a few seconds to activate the breathing bladder, brace and keep one eye on the window would be terrifying!

Definitely smacked the alpha out of me. Escaping from a smoke filled dark room whilst wearing a respirator was also an experience I never want to experience for real. It was impossible to see your own hands and very easy to get lost in the small simulator room we were put in! Nothing like the films at all with smoke just on the ceilings - you literally can't see a thing!!
 
Totality said:
I did the bosiet course this week and am due off shore in a week or so. I originally thought escaping from an upside down helicopter can't be that difficult and in the pool it turned out to not be so bad, but gave me a full understanding of how hard it would be in a real situation with seats 3 deep. The panic, dark and cold with only a few seconds to activate the breathing bladder, brace and keep one eye on the window would be terrifying!

Definitely smacked the alpha out of me. Escaping from a smoke filled dark room whilst wearing a respirator was also an experience I never want to experience for real. It was impossible to see your own hands and very easy to get lost in the small simulator room we were put in! Nothing like the films at all with smoke just on the ceilings - you literally can't see a thing!!
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Being lowered into a heated pool at 0.1m/s is quite relaxed and a load of BS in the grand scheme of things!!!

I hate to be Mr Obvious, but if a gearbox ****s itself then you have a few seconds to say your goodbyes and prayers. In a controlled ditch you should be ok, but today has shown, and will show that even a rapid ditch is nothing like the stupid videos and drills make it out to be.

This is an incredibly dangerous business that most folk really don't have a ****ing clue about.

Good luck going offshore for the first time noobie. Email in trust if you need any advice.
 
another superpuma down in scotland

I'm on my mobile at the moment if someone could get a link up please. I've just heard on the news another superpuma went down last night near Shetland. Six men missing.
 
Newsnet Scotland said:
Four dead after oil worker helicopter crash

Four people are reported dead after a Super Puma helicopter ditched in the sea of Shetland.

The L2 helicopter was taking 16 people and two crew from oil and gas platforms when it went down west of Sumburgh Airport.

Fourteen people were rescued by the Coastguard and taken to a hospital near Lerwick.

Speaking to the BBC at the time, Jim Nicholson, RNLI rescue co-ordinator, said: "There was a fresh wind, not overly strong, visibility is not particularly good and it was misty in the area but I doubt if that would have had any impact on causing whatever happened to the helicopter."

A CHC spokesman said: "We can confirm that an L2 aircraft has landed in the water, approximately two miles west of Sumburgh.

"The aircraft was on approach to Sumburgh Airport at approximately 6.20pm when contact was lost with air traffic control.

"We can confirm there were 16 passengers on board, and two crew."

The company operating the aircraft on behalf of Total, CHC, has set up a helpline for concerned relatives on 01224 296 866.

In a statement First Minister Alex Salmond said: ""Our thoughts at this difficult time are with the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. We also hope that those who were injured can make a full and speedy recovery. I would like to pay a massive tribute to all of those brave and hard-working individuals involved in the rescue effort and in treating the casualties when they were brought ashore.

"It is still too early to know what caused this terrible tragedy, but a full investigation by the relevant authorities is already under way. The Scottish Government is in regular contact with all the agencies who have been involved in this rescue and recovery operation through our Resilience process."

In a statement, Unite union's Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: "Our immediate thoughts are with those people and their families and we can only hope for good news although as time goes on the situation becomes more worrying."

Mr Rafferty added: "This brings into sharp focus once again the very precarious nature of the transportation of workers to and from offshore platforms. The health and safety of working people is our priority and we will be watching events closely as they happen."

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Lorna Hood, said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in the Super Puma helicopter crash off Shetland and especially those waiting news of their loved ones."

The aircraft had only recently been cleared to resume flights after a ten month grounding following two ditchings last year.

Last month the European Aviation Safety Agency approved a proposed interim measure to repair gear shaft problems which had caused the ditchings.

A series of town hall meetings were staged prior to the flight resumption aimed at reassuring offshore industry workers that the repairs had eliminated the problems.
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