Farmer 1 - I thought the North Sea would be a "tightly" run operation. The CAA not the watch dog I thought? I know what you say is certainly true for a oil company owned and operated operation here.
Yes, I think you're right, Brian, at least in principle. What tends to happen is that the various companies, always wanting to show the world how safety-minded they are, introduce their own safety rules. When they eventually realise a rule is actually costing them money, they quietly bin it. If circumstances change, and obeying that rule can be seen to be a bit less uneconomic, it is reintroduced sharpish. So long as it looks good, all is well.
The rules tend to be written by someone far removed from the sharp end, who will never directly feel the effects of them.
While not always agreeing with what the CAA says and does, I was always grateful that there was some kind of authority back there who laid down rules to which we could refer and quote, should the need arise.
And it did.
I can't imagine anyone suggesting a landing like the one that originated this thread, for instance.