Last month, I discussed the challenge of the severe weather associated with hurricanes. We were reeling after an early storm struck Scotland, with some rigs in the North Sea recording 9m (30ft) seas. Since then we have been enjoying a warm, dry September, though sea-fog impacted offshore flights.
While on holiday in Skye recently I had the pleasure of meeting a forester who was involved with the planting of Sitka spruce as part of a carbon offset scheme.
Anybody who has been stuck on a platform at the start of their shore leave will know - only too well - that fog can disrupt their plans, and at this time of year when the fog does come it can be particularly bad.
It really has been a tough winter in the North Sea, with platforms running short of fuel and water, tankers unable to access ports, and the evacuation of personnel from some installations because of high seas.
