SAR helicopter in place

This was later regulated by the Petroleum Activities Act of 22 March 1985, which stated that a licensee must maintain effective emergency preparedness at all times.

The aim is to respond to accidents and hazards which could cause injury or loss of human life, pollution or great material damage. One of the measures taken in that respect is the emergency helicopter on Statfjord. Still an important part of emergency response measures in the North Sea, the SAR machine continues to be stationed on the B platform although operational control has been transferred to Statfjord C. The latter is the base of the air transport coordinator for the Tampen area of the North Sea (LTT).

Ambulance and rescue services for offshore installations are the helicopter’s primary duties, but it is also available to the joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC) on land as and when required. Its location out to sea means that this machine is also close to important fishing grounds and shipping routes. In addition to ambulance flights from platforms, it can retrieve people from the sea and pick up sick or injured people from ships.

The helicopter crew comprises two pilots, a technician/lift operator, a rescue officer and a nurse with specialist qualifications in acute medicine. Operator Statoil purchases this service under contract from civilian helicopter companies, and its only employee in the crew is the nurse.

To learn more, see: The SAR service