Helicopter Down in North Sea

[Nigel H-J]

Just hope that everyone has survived.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/nor ... 898093.stm

Nigel.

[Techy111]

Hope its good news like that last one that had a lightning strike and all survived...?

Fingers crossed....

Tony

[TSR2]

Everyone safe with only a few minor injuries. On their way to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary now.

[Techy111]

Phew....great news......

Tony

[RJP]

Everyone safe with only a few minor injuries. On their way to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary now.

That's great news!

Was it a CHC machine? If so & if anyone knows the Captains name could you PM me please? I have a friend who flies Pumas for CHC around Scotland.

Cheers
Richard

[markw]

According to the ever reliable (not) BBC it was a Bond machine.

Anyone else been slightly annoyed by the tone of the BBC reports? They briefly mention the fact the helicopter ditched in relatively calm seas, that floatation devices inflated on impact and that the passengers and crew were able to safely evacuate to the dinghys without entering the sea, which of course will have helped their safe evacuation as any dip in the North Sea, however brief, would have made them vulnerable to the cold. However, this good news story seemingly wasn't enough and they kept going on about how the passengers go through "unpleasant" ditching training involving evacuating a submerged fuselage. Fine, but what relevance did that have on the events last night where fortunately, thanks to a combination of working safety kit and unseasonably good sea conditions, the fuselage remained floating for several hours?

In my view the fact that the captain managed to put a fully laden helicopter onto the North Sea after suddenly suffering some sort of catastrophic problem, safely and at an angle that allowed it to float, that the crew and passengers were all able to escape, yes, due to being some of the best trained air passengers in the world in what to do in an emergency, but also because to an extent luck was on their site meteologically, and that everyone is fine is a good enough story without introducing a load of nonsense about ditching practice and being trained to swim out of a sinking helicopter.

A good result, and some brilliant flying, spoilt by some junior farty reporter trying to sex up the story so he can get a national gig with News 24.

[nigelb]

I saw the story on BBC World News here last night and I am glad everyone is OK. I think the mention of the tough training is to demonstrate how well prepared they were for the emergency and I viewed it as a credit. As to the sea conditions - I have bathed in the North Sea in the middle of Summer and it's bl**dy cold even at that time of year!

Nigel²

[Nigel H-J]

I

have bathed in the North Sea in the middle of Summer and it's bl**dy cold even at that time of year!

I wouldn't even dip my toes in it, just don't know what comes out of the sewage pipes!!

Ooops, sorry Graham, forgot your're in that neck of the woods!!


Nigel.

[Filonian]

I

have bathed in the North Sea in the middle of Summer and it's bl**dy cold even at that time of year!

I wouldn't even dip my toes in it, just don't know what comes out of the sewage pipes!!

Ooops, sorry Graham, forgot your're in that neck of the woods!!


Nigel.

How very dare you Nigel, though I suppose I may be found guilty of contributing to the emissions in the Filey area .

The local Sea Cadets fro TS Unseen have a "New Year Dip" from the Coble Landing ech year, though I have never been tempted to join them. As has been said - too bloody cold even in summer for me.

I well remember a swimming pool on the front at Hartlepool, bright summer day, empty. Good I thought, pool to meself. Dived in and shot out again, almost in one movement. What I had not been aware of was the fact that the pool was filled with sea water. I couldn't even get enough breath to even mutter, "Oh Dear, or words to that effetct.

Graham

[nigelb]

I

have bathed in the North Sea in the middle of Summer and it's bl**dy cold even at that time of year!

I wouldn't even dip my toes in it, just don't know what comes out of the sewage pipes!!

Ooops, sorry Graham, forgot your're in that neck of the woods!!


Nigel.

:o
Yuck, not sure if that was the case back in 1957 though. We were at a place called Eccles-on-Sea, somewhere between Sheringham and Cromer. Anyway if it was polluted, we were blissfully unaware of it and I am telling myself it was too cold for any bacteria to survive!


Nigel²