Dozens of people have been left stranded on an offshore accommodation unit in the Norwegian sea, it has emerged.
The footbridge connecting the Floatel Superior to the Kvitebjorn platform was damaged after being automatically raised because of weather conditions last night.
Now operators Statoil are to use helicopters to ferry people between the accommodation block and the main unit.
The platform, which was providing accommodation for workers, sees around 100 workers a day crossing from the accommodation block to the platform via the footbridge.
Nobody was hurt in the incident, but workers were left stranded on board the main platform who had to be put up for the night. The accident took place amid waves up to 4.5m high.
“The bridge is not in operation, and thus people cannot move freely between Floatel and Kvitebjørn,” a Statoil spokesman told Aftenbladet.
An investigation has been launched into how the incident occurred. Statoil admitted the knock-on effect could delay work on the main platform.
Statoil received permission to use the living quarters facility in May while modification work was being conducted on the Kvitebjorn gas and condensate lines, east of Gullfaks.
Work had been scheduled to be completed by October, although Statoil applied for consent to use the platform until January next year to allow for unforeseen delays.
It is the second time in recent months the Floatel Superior has been struck with misfortune.
Last November safety chiefs reported critical errors after Statoil was forced to evacuate workers when the accommodation unit tilted 4 degrees due to a punctured ballast.