Oil workers airlifted off North Sea platform after nearby vessel fire
A North Sea oil platform has been partially evacuated after a supply vessel caught fire 12 miles from the installation.
Around 150 workers were taken off the Lomond platform after a blaze broke out on the Edda Frende around 6am on Friday.
Platform bosses feared the Norwegian vessel, which was under contract to Shell, would collide with the BG Group-operated rig.
But the Frende was later brought under tow and is being taken to Aberdeen for repairs.
A BG Group spokesman said: "We took a precautionary step to demobilise personnel from its Lomond platform and Borgholm Dolphin flotel this morning.
"This was due to the potential risk posed by a stricken vessel some 12 miles away.
"Although the threat of a collision was small we decided to ensure as many of our people as possible were removed from any potential incident. The Lomond platform has been shut in since October as it undergoes a major investment and maintenance programme.”
A spokesman for Frende owners Østensjø Rederi added: "Our platform supply vessel, Edda Frende, reported a fire in the ship's engine room. The fire was quickly extinguished and the situation is now under control.
"The crew are safe and are doing fine. There are no injuries to any of the 14 crew members onboard. The ship was on its way from Aberdeen to the oilfield on British sector and will now return to Aberdeen for investigation and repair."
The coastguard were made aware of the incident but did not dispatch any assets.
Non event? Over reaction?