We can only imagine the shock and grief of the families and friends of those involved in today's helicopter tragedy in the North Sea. Sixteen people were on board the Super Puma which was bringing workers back to shore. Eight bodies have been found but it seems there will be no survivors as this helicopter crashed into the sea, compared with the incident in February when the helicopter managed to ditch into the sea, resulting in all lives being saved.
There was a MayDay call around 2pm this afternoon. Aberdeen coastguard launched a major operation involving RAF helicopters, a Nimrod place and 11 ships and boats and the first rescue helicopter, which was quickly on the scene, could only see 2 lifeboats and bodies floating in the sea.
The First Minister Alex Salmond described the tragedy as "devastating and appalling" which is very true. Not only does such a disaster affect the north east of Scotland but about half the workers come from further afield. Since 1985 there have been 56 deaths and 18 survivors in helicopters taking oil workers to and from north sea platforms. That figure does not include today's deaths.
This puts all the glitter and spin of the G20 into proportion and all the talk about MPs being worth more than they are paid. The people who died today provide the UK with its oil and it's North Sea oil which has given the UK the standard of living they have enjoyed over the past 40 years. I do hope those who live both inside and outside Scotland realise the sacrifice made today and spare a thought for the families and friends of the dead.
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9 comments:
This is a tragedy of gigantic proportions,,and the sad part is they will be soon forgotten for this is how the world operates.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and those they left behind.
As you say Subrosa: They are real Heroes
On a day when we had bucket loads of hype, spin and mutual admiration from the G20, culminating by Brown saying, "We are within a few hours of agreeing a global plan for economic recovery and reform" this post stands out for its heartfelt sincerity at this truly awful news.
In many ways what the North Sea has provided is forgotten about and not appreciated.
This tragedy does indeed put all the platitudes and half truths that come out of the G20 in perspective.
Indeed any loss of life in a tradgedy.
These guys were heros. Anyone who works to extract a comodity such as oil who 99.99% of population take for granted in waves the height of churches, wind in excess of 100mph and temperatures that without the salt would freeze water immediately gets my hat tip.
They dont fiddle expences, lie to parliament, eat 500 quid a head dinners, cheat, steal from the public purse, tell us we are all fatties, drinkers and excess smokers, hump us to the highest tax burden in british political history, and pass petty laws that mean we cant even photograph a copper without fear of arrest.
However I have personally served for over 6 years on these helicopters. They are safe but they are a mechanical device. There are inexcess of 40000 journey made to offshore platforms each year. Add the internal flights by other companies and we have a safe method of travel in my opinion. These machines and the industry are very heavily regulated and the training second to none. The incident 6 weeks ago was to all intence and purposes the pilot landing on the water and his landing instrument being turned off. This however in good weather potentislly may be mechanical failure. Again a tradgedy.It must be fully investigated and changes made however I feel I am at more risk at 70mph on the M8 motorway, and I dont think twice about that.
I am not being dis-respectful to the dead here just trying to give a sence of reality and not everyone shout that the aviation industry and particularly choppers and a risk
This tragedy does indeed put all the platitudes and half truths that come out of the G20 in perspective."
How true, as the little people live and die unnoticed by The Bilderbergers.
As a retired aviator I fully understand the shock of such tragedies. Rest in Peace and may their loved ones find solace.
Baron, they may be forgotten by the many but they won't be forgotten by those of us who appreciate the efforts made to bring oil and gas to us. Indeed they are heroes and always will be in my eyes.
Hello Howard, I just wonder how many people in England know that their oil and gas comes from this area, possibly very few. We've become a society which accepts without question and that in turn has made many more selfish.
Hi LOTF, what a thoughtful and touching post. Thank you.
Oldrightie you will know the community will hold together. It's going to be more difficult for those families who don't live in the north east because they won't have that support.
I hope the victims will all be returned to their loved ones and I'm told the expertise of rescuers and other services is second to none in the North Sea.
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