Offshore Helicopter Services UK completes 1,000th search and rescue mission

Pictured is an Offshore Helicopter Services SAR AW139. (Photo credit: Ben Johnson).

Offshore Helicopter Services UK (OHSUK) has completed its 1,000th search and rescue (SAR) task assisting the offshore energy sector.

The organisation provides 24/7 medical emergency cover, 365 days a year for up to 10,000 workers in the North Sea. According to the operator, the majority of SAR tasking is emergency medical retrieval of injured or sick people.

Martin Stubbs, MD of OHSUK, said: “To have completed one thousand tasks over the past 10 years is a great achievement for the team. They often operate in very harsh conditions, helping people when they are at their most vulnerable.

“The number of tasks reinforces just how vital the SAR service is, and we draw on that experience to ensure we are constantly evolving, using the latest life-saving equipment, and are prepared to respond to incidents at any time.”

The SAR taskings are coordinated by Petrofac’s Emergency Response Service Centre (ERSC) based in Aberdeen. Staffed by former emergency service workers with 200 years of experience between them, Petrofac’s ERSC has taken over 12,000 calls made up of muster drills, exercises and real incidents, since its inception in 2006.

Graham Brown, crisis and response manager at Petrofac said: “Whilst we undertake emergency response on a daily basis for our clients, as the SAR Tasking Coordinator, we support the entire North Sea energy industry. Seeing OHS continually evolve with the introduction of the new fleet elevates the service provision in support of the sector’s safety commitment.”

In September last year, OHSUK revealed it will be adding two Leonardo AW139s to its SAR fleet to provide services for the next decade.

Additionally, night vision goggles will be introduced for all crew, there will be a redesign of the cabin layout and a bright blue and orange livery has also been introduced.

Offshore Helicopter Services UK’s Search and Rescue manager Keith Chalmers said: “We have the capability to respond to a wide range of incidents to provide a high level of medical care and rescue provision, but in an extreme environment, and get them to a place of safety as quickly as possible.”