Devil,
You say the industry has a problem...I have said there is a problem...anyone in the know...says there is a problem. Pilots in the Gulf of Mexico (well a few anyway) say there is a problem...I have even heard a very senior manager in the Gulf say there is a problem. The FAA mumbles something about improvements needed....but what gets accomplished? What real improvements have occurred over the past Ten years?
Simple example....
An hour before dark, winter day, cold air, cold water, 170 NM out heading for your rig in yer Jet Ranger...down time is 30 minutes away....sunset is an hour away...you have 30 NM to run to your Rig. The sea state is such that the helicopter is going to roll over immediately upon ditching....no exposure suits...only yer blue Swiflik vest on...it is raining. The wind is blowing 20 knots. You made your position report Seven minutes ago.
The engine flames out without any warning....you are at 500 feet MSL....you are flying downwind.
What are your chances for survival at that point.