BP boss flies to helicopter crash platform
Bid to reassure offshore workers
Published:
A BP boss has flown offshore in a helicopter to reassure colleagues of the crash victims of flight 85N.
BP North Sea business managing director Bernard Looney went to the Miller Platform from where the doomed helicopter flight had taken off.
His journey came a week after the helicopter crash tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 men.
Operations by Bond Offshore Helicopters were suspended in the wake of the crash.
Mr Looney’s trip, on a routine crew flight carried out by CHC Scotia, came as BP and Bond agreed a “thorough review” would be carried out to make sure high safety standards for offshore transport are met.
He flew to the platform seven days after the Bond Super Puma helicopter flight 85N crashed into the North Sea 14 miles off the Peterhead coast.
More than half of the 160 workers normally at the platform, which no longer produces oil and being decommissioned, returned to shore in the days following the helicopter crash.
Mr Looney made the trip to speak to the 70 crew still on board.
A BP spokesman said: “He went to see the remaining crew on the platform and to listen to them and reassure them that we are doing everything we can, working with the helicopter operators and Bond in particular.”
“The review is being carried out as part of BP’s response to the accident and to reassure BP and its North Sea workforce that Bond’s systems and procedures meet the high safety standards required for offshore helicopter transportation.
“While this review is being carried out, BP will be making alternative arrangements for flying its passengers offshore to its North Sea installations.”
Two crew and 14 workers died in the helicopter crash tragedy on April 1.
Eight of the helicopter crash victims’ bodies were recovered that day and brought back onshore by the Caledonian Victory. The remaining bodies were returned by the Bibby Topaz on Monday.
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