Bristow Photos

[Dave Ed]

Treasure Finder

Treasure Finder




During the late seventies and early eighties the North Sea oil fields were probably at their most active and this led Shell to instigate a Bell 212 shuttle service to serve the Brent oil field installations and surrounding rigs.
The Treasure Finder was to be found in the East Shetland basin and consisted of a fairly large hangar built as part of an accommodation platform and attached to a production platform typically the "Brent B".

The hangar had an average compliment of five Bell 212's fitted with a vast array of avionics and safety equipment to enable such tasks as search and rescue.
The work rota was 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off.





There were two heli-decks, one either side of the hangar, and the photo was taken from one heli-deck looking through the hangar out to the other. The 212 on the left ( G-BGMI ) is fitted with a " Nightsun " high power searchlight as part of the S.A.R. commitment.




A good night shot showing the two heli-decks with a 212 stationed on the right hand one.




Note the tow cart still has the BEAS logo.