Offshore rescue helicopters to be axed
OIL workers spoke of their concern at news a frontline emergency team serving the offshore industry is to be scrapped.
BP has confirmed two Jigsaw search-and-rescue choppers will be axed by 2016, with the first to go next year.
Jigsaw crews – which include a qualified medic – have taken part in hundreds of missions.
The contract with Bond Helicopters to operate the aircraft will not be renewed.
One oil worker said there were concerns over the loss of Jigsaw.
He said: “The industry constantly goes on about how there is no price put on safety and these Bond search-and-rescue helicopters and their crews have already saved countless lives.”
But industry body Oil and Gas UK said it was working on new plans for search and rescue (SAR) cover in the central North Sea.
However, Jake Molloy, regional organiser of the RMT union, said urgent talks were needed to ensure workers had adequate search-and-rescue back-up.
He said: “All parties need to get round the table to ensure that we maintain appropriate levels of search-and-rescue cover for workers.
Offshore rescue helicopters to be axed - Local / News / Evening Express