The industry association for operators of emergency response and rescue vessels (ERRVs) has made a video remind North Sea workers they are not alone this Christmas.
ERRVA said about 3,400 seafarers are employed on 140 vessels which are on station year round to support 112 offshore installations.
The association said the vessels were a “safety blanket” for offshore crew, while also providing pollution control assistance and anti-collision monitoring.
And ERRV capacity has increased following investments of more than £500million in recent years.
Thirty-eight new purpose-built vessels have entered the North Sea in the last five years, ERRVA said.
The body said more than 190 offshore workers have been rescued by ERRVs, and that a further 140 people involved in other marine incidents have been rescued in the North Sea since oil and gas exploration began.
David Kenwright of ERRVA said: “Over the festive period, it’s even harder for offshore workers to be away from their families and this is a good time of year to remind them that they are not alone. ERRVs are there to support them every minute of every day and our fully trained crews will be spending their Christmas and New Year, alongside every platform in the UK North Sea.
“These vessels are beacons of safety offshore and in recent years ERRVA members have invested a staggering £500million in new tonnage, ensuring the most modern facilities and state of the art technology with more sophisticated rescue equipment. This investment reflects the confidence of our members in the North Sea and their commitment to providing the highest standards of safety.”
