Family pays tribute to oil rig worker missing at sea

● Former football player and coach working on North Sea platform

A worker reported missing from a North Sea rig has been described as a “much-loved” grandfather.

Steve Sutherland, 49, had been working on the Noble Lloyd Noble installation but the alarm was raised at about 9:20pm on Tuesday when he could not be found on board.

Following initial searches of the installation, an extensive search involving a rescue helicopter, the coastguard, two supply vessels and a platform supply vessel was launched but has now been scaled back with no trace found. Police Scotland said inquiries are continuing but there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

Mr Sutherland was a football coach and former junior player in Aberdeen.

In a statement released through police, his family said: “Steve is a much-loved and well-respected father, grandfather, partner, son, brother and uncle, adored by his children Morgan, Lenah and son Joe, and doted on by his four grandchildren.

“Steve was born in Aberdeen and grew up in Northfield.

“He is well-known among the junior football league in Aberdeen, having played for clubs like Glentanar FC, East End and Parkvale. He also coached at Lewis United and is a massive Aberdeen FC fan.

“Steve is popular, easy to get on with and well-liked by all those who know him. He is missed by everyone. We would ask that we are left in privacy at this difficult time.”

The rig he was working on is located in the Mariner Field approximately 90 miles east of Shetland.

Yesterday, Noble Drilling said work on the rig had been stopped.

Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson, who has led inquiries on board the rig, said: “We continue to liaise with next of kin to keep them informed

0 Police have confirmed that man missing from North Sea rig is 49-year-old Steve Sutherland of any developments. Our thoughts are with them at this time.”

Statoil is developing the Mariner field with the first oil expected in 2018. Mariner is one of the largest projects currently under development in UK waters.

The heavy oil field has reserves estimated at more than 250 million barrels of oil, with an average production of about 55,000 barrels per day.