The crashed helicopter does not belong to a company with union representation.
This company lately purchased most of Bristow Group's Airl Logistic aged singles (including the one that crashed).
This company does have a reputation for all kinds of shortcuts (albeit not determined whether that was a factor in this accident) and a safety record to match.
I also believe this company "leases" flight following services from one other well organized operator.
Shell, satellite tracking is only used by the major three operators in the Gulf of Mexico.
Specifically to this episode, there was an occurrence last year (or earlier this year) where delayed rescue brought the demise of more than one passenger due to water temperature.
At least one operator was courageous enough to suspend single engine and PCII operations when water temperature dropped below a certain point or wave height exceeded 14'.
Because of this decision at least one customer left for a different vendor, showing that the safety mentality only belongs to the major oil companies (at least on paper).
Immersion suits in the Gulf of Mexico? Yeah and I am the King of Spain writing here in disguise.
Remember we are operating smack in the middle of "Oil Barons" territory, and THAT mentality is prevailing.
Last edited by tottigol; 12th Dec 2008 at 21:29.