The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Investigation after crane collapses on platform
Probe: Production halted after two offshore workers injured in incident
An investigation has been launched after two offshore workers were injured when part of a crane collapsed on to the deck of a North Sea platform.
One of the men was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) following the accident on Repsol Sinopec’s Fulmar ‘A’ installation.
Production on the platform, which is located approximately 217 miles east of Dundee, has been halted while inquiries take place.
A spokesman for the op-
“The platform has been shut down while the incident is investigated”
erator said: “Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited can confirm that two people have been treated for non-life threatening injuries following an incident involving a crane on the Fulmar installation.
“One person was airlifted to ARI for further assessment. Family members were informed and all remaining personnel on board are safe.
“The platform has been shut down while the incident is investigated further.
“The incident happened at approximately 19:05hrs on Monday.”
Industry sources say the boom of the west crane on the Fulmar came down on to the deck in an uncontrolled manner.
It is understood one man suffered a broken jaw while the other suffered bruising.
Both were working for service company Enermech.
A Norwegian search and rescue helicopter arrived at ARI around 11pm on Monday night.
The coastguard confirmed it was transporting an injured crewman from an offshore installation, although it is unclear if it was the Fulmar casualty.
A Marine and Coastguard spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 8.20pm informing us that a Norwegian search and rescue helicopter had been tasked to medevac an injured crewman from a platform.
“The casualty was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where they were met by the Aberdeen coastguard team, who set up a landing site.”
The Health and Safety Executive has confirmed it is aware of the incident and is investigating.
The Fulmar platform was installed in 1981 with production starting up the following year.
It comprises two fixed steel jackets.
As well as processing production from its namesake field it also acts as a gathering hub for several tied back neighbouring oil and gas reservoirs.