The families of 16 men killed in the 2009 Super Puma disaster gathered at an emotional memorial service to mark the fifth anniversary of their deaths yesterday.
Candles were lit for each of the workers at the Oil Chapel in the Church of St Nicholas Uniting in Aberdeen.
There were tears as relatives, including children, placed hurricane lamps in the middle of the room to represent each of the lives lost.
The two pilots and 14 workers died after the ASS32-L2 suffered a catastrophic gearbox failure and fell into the North Sea off the coast of Crimond as the aircraft returned from the BP Miller platform on April 1, 2009.
Rigger David Stephenson, who died in an accident on board the DSV Wellservicer vessel a few hours later, was also remembered at the service.
The Rev Gordon Craig, the chaplain to the oil and gas industry, said he was aware of the pain and hurt that had been caused by the recent fatal accident inquiry held into the deaths.
He said: “I know many of you felt that you had gone backwards emotionally, and so I hope that what we do today helps to re-establish some sort of equilibrium in your life. Today is a time to pause and simply remember. Today, five years on, we gather to remember as family, friends and colleagues.”
Mr Craig said some of the families had felt the deaths of their loved ones had seemed to be of little consequence during the inquiry.
Many have claimed the inquiry report by Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle was not robust enough in pinpointing why the helicopter failed.
Relatives have also criticised a decision by the Crown Office not to bring prosecutions following the tragedy.
But the minister urged the families and friends to choose their direction carefully.
He said: “In the last 25 years as my time as a chaplain, I have seen some left with an overwhelming desire and drive to take things further in the courts.
“But on the other hand, I have also seen others who couldn’t face prolonging any legal process, they couldn’t face keeping their tragedy as a live event under any circumstances.”
Relatives and friends laid flowers at the Flight 85N Memorial in Johnston Gardens following the service.
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