The UK’s offshore industry finds itself at the centre of what could become a very dangerous farce – one that has huge safety and economic implications.
Right now, the sector faces a hammer blow because of a set of questionably constructed diktats that have emanated from what amounts to a transport safety inquiry.
The trigger was the spate of deadly accidents over the past five years. The CAA implemented its inquiry in September, delivering its findings and orders in February.
But the reality is the CAA has had years to get its act together over North Sea helicopter safety, bearing in mind there have been 25 incidents costing more than 50 lives since 1992.
It seems this regulator is now in a headlong rush to implement changes too rapidly.
There seems to be insufficient thought given to the realities of existing aircraft design, the lack of approved pressurised emergency breathe packs and, most contentious of all, the weight of offshore workers.
There is no doubt in my mind the offshore industry – operators through supply chain – takes its aviation-related responsibilities very seriously.
The CAA needs to respect this and engage, not order. Perhaps it needs to take a leaf out of the largely effective approach used by the Health and Safety Executive with the offshore industry.