§ 98. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Technology if he will give details of the latest and most modern scientific and other methods provided for the protection of the crews and other workers in oil rigs in the North Sea.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe main protection is provided by the licence obligation on licensees to conduct all operations in84W accordance with good oilfield practice. We have also issued instructions to licensees about the safety, health and welfare of persons employed on platforms, including a requirement to comply with the Institute of Petroleum Model Code of Safe Practice, copies of which are in the Library. All installations are subject to inspections by the Department's technical officers.
To deal with emergencies, standby vessels are in continuous attendance at all offshore installations, and rescue services, including helicopters, on shore are alerted as necessary.
§ 99. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Technology if he will give details of the recent accidents to oil rigs in the North Sea indicating the damage done to the rigs and to the crews and other workers, and also the compensation paid and to be paid to those injured and to the families of those killed.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThere have been three recent accidents involving oil rigs in the North Sea. The most serious of these resulted in the loss of the "Constellation", which sank in a severe storm whilst under tow to Rotterdam on 25th November. On 23rd November the "North Star" sustained some damage, and is now under repair. Earlier in September, the "Sea Quest" sustained damage to its anchorage system, which has since been repaired.
I am happy to say that there was no loss of life or injury in any of these accidents, largely as a result of the services rendered by the helicopter pilots, who succeeded in lifting off the crews of the "Constellation" and "North Star" in appalling conditions.