The Search and Rescue (SAR) crews providing lifeline support to the offshore energy sector have reached the remarkable landmark of completing one thousand tasks.
Operator Offshore Helicopters Services UK Ltd (OHSUK) provides 24/7 medical emergency cover, 365 days a year, to up to 10,000 workers in the North Sea.
Carrying out missions across a vast area, the majority of SAR tasking is emergency medical retrieval, attending injured or sick people in an extreme environment and getting them to safety as quickly as possible.
OHSUK managing director Martin Stubbs said: “To have completed one thousand tasks over the past ten years is a great achievement for the team.
“They often operate in very harsh conditions, helping people when they are at their most vulnerable.
“The number of tasks reinforces just how vital the SAR service is, and we draw on that experience to ensure we are constantly evolving, using the latest life-saving equipment, and are prepared to respond to incidents at any time.”
Credit: Ben Johnson
The SAR taskings are coordinated by Petrofac’s Emergency Response Service Centre (ERSC) based in Aberdeen. Next year it will celebrate its 20th anniversary having been opened by Lord Cullen in 2006.
Staffed by former emergency service workers with 200 years of experience between them, Petrofac’s ERSC has taken over 12,000 calls made up of muster drills, exercises and real incidents, since its inception.
Graham Brown, Crisis and Response Manager at Petrofac said: “Collaboration, driven by shared purpose, with the team at OHSUK has been key to safely and successfully delivering one thousand taskings; a milestone the Petrofac team is proud to be part of.
“Whilst we undertake emergency response on a daily basis for our clients, as the SAR Tasking Coordinator, we support the entire North Sea energy industry.
“Seeing OHS continually evolve with the introduction of the new fleet elevates the service provision in support of the sector’s safety commitment.”
Credit: Ben Johnson
In September last year, it was announced two new bespoke multi-million-pound helicopters will spearhead the SAR fleet as part of a deal for OHSUK to provide the SAR service for the next decade.
The cutting-edge Leonardo AW139s have been designed with input from industry technical leads, flight crews, engineers and medical staff.
Night vision goggles will be introduced for all crew, there will be a redesign of the cabin layout and a bright blue and orange livery has been introduced.
Search and Rescue Manager Keith Chalmers said: “We have the capability to respond to a wide range of incidents to provide a high level of medical care and rescue provision, but in an extreme environment, and get them to a place of safety as quickly as possible.”
Industry Search and Rescue is funded and supported by multiple partners from across the energy sector. As part of the initiative, SAR crews are able to participate in extensive training flights, highlighting their continued commitment to the safety and security of personnel offshore.
OHSUK is part of the Ultimate Aviation Group.