Flungdung
I'm probably not the only experienced offshore captain (EU citizen, by the way) out there wondering about the reality of that statement. Sure, the top pay is probably what you describe, but the union structure must mean that even an experienced pilot trying to break into North Sea market will be on a much lower income for many years as a FO.
Also, it's not really all that good an income compared with some other places if you have to pay UK/Norway taxes.