OFFSHORE HELICOPTER TRAGEDY KILLS ONE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march/april 2024 :: RMTnews 24 RMT has sent condolences to Norwegian colleagues after a S-92 helicopter ditched into the sea off the coast of Norway on February 28, while in training for oil firm Equinor, killing one crew member. Six people were recovered from the crash and taken to hospital in Bergen and the other five crew members have “varying levels of injuries”, according to a statement from operator Bristow. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was sad news and the union’s thoughts were with the families of all those affected by this tragic event. “We will not speculate about the causes of this tragedy and is seeking information from the Norwegian authorities as this aircraft model is a critical part of the UK fleet taking workers to sites across the UK sector. “We are also liaising with our Norwegian colleagues in our sister trade Union Industri Energi,” he said. The tragedy occurred shortly after proposals were announced for the possible re- introduction of the Super Puma helicopter by Airbus to offshore oil and gas operations. Last year was the tenth anniversary of the last fatal Super Puma incident in the UK sector, which claimed the lives of four offshore workers, including RMT member Sarah Darnley. 33 offshore workers and helicopter crew died and 65 were rescued from the North Sea as a result of Super Puma helicopter accidents between 2009 and 2016. Mechanical flaws in the gear box of the Super Pumas were found responsible for some of these accidents but the regulatory response from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Tory Government has been far too weak. RMT alongside other offshore unions and MPs on the Transport Select Committee called for a public inquiry into the helicopter in 2014 but the Conservative-led government refused to comply. RMT has warned that the reintroduction of the Super Puma would poison industrial relations.  "Any confidence built up since 2016 amongst offshore workers over the safety of the helicopters will disappear if they are expected to travel to and from installations on Super Pumas. "The fact that the industry is even entertaining the re- introduction of the Super Puma is not only an insult to the memory of offshore workers and crew killed by this flawed machine, it shows how the highly profitable oil and gas industry continues to exert dangerous and unregulated commercial pressure on offshore helicopter operators in the North Sea. "The S-92 model which has assumed the bulk of the Super Puma work is ageing and investment is desperately needed. "We will be seeking meetings at the highest levels of the industry and we will work with other offshore trade unions to fight these dangerous proposals to bring back Super Pumas," said Mick Lynch. OFFSHORE HELICOPTER TRAGEDY KILLS ONE Union warns that reintroduction of Super Puma helicopters would poison industrial relations  SAFE?: A memorial unveiled in Turoy near Bergen, western Norway in 2019 to 13 victims of the fatal crash of a Super Puma helicopter in April 2016. 33 offshore workers and helicopter crew have died and 65 were rescued from the North Sea as a result of Super Puma helicopter accidents between 2009 and 2016.