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Hopes fading for missing crewmen | Hopes fading for missing crewmen |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The search is continuing for five crewmen missing after a Norwegian anchor handling vessel capsized in the Atlantic, killing three people. | |
However, a coastguard spokeswoman says it would be a "miracle" if the five - thought to have been trapped inside the Bourbon Dolphin - were found alive. | However, a coastguard spokeswoman says it would be a "miracle" if the five - thought to have been trapped inside the Bourbon Dolphin - were found alive. |
Ten crew members were found after Thursday's incident, about 75 miles west of the Shetland coast. | Ten crew members were found after Thursday's incident, about 75 miles west of the Shetland coast. |
Seven are in hospital, but the ship's owners said three others had died. | Seven are in hospital, but the ship's owners said three others had died. |
Police investigation | Police investigation |
Searches by a coastguard helicopter had been stood down until first light but Royal Navy divers continued to search throughout the night. | Searches by a coastguard helicopter had been stood down until first light but Royal Navy divers continued to search throughout the night. |
BOURBON DOLPHIN Norwegian-registered tug supply vesselLength: 75.2mWidth: 17.0mMax draught: 6.5mDeadweight (max): 2,500 tGross/net tonnage: 2,974t/892tSpeed: 17.5 knots (trial)Capacity: 35 personnel | BOURBON DOLPHIN Norwegian-registered tug supply vesselLength: 75.2mWidth: 17.0mMax draught: 6.5mDeadweight (max): 2,500 tGross/net tonnage: 2,974t/892tSpeed: 17.5 knots (trial)Capacity: 35 personnel |
Source: Bourbon Offshore | Source: Bourbon Offshore |
The spokeswoman for the coastguard said the search and rescue operation would be changed to a search and recovery operation on Friday morning. | The spokeswoman for the coastguard said the search and rescue operation would be changed to a search and recovery operation on Friday morning. |
"We are not really expecting to find survivors now," she said. | "We are not really expecting to find survivors now," she said. |
"It would be a miracle if they had survived all night in five degrees, freezing water. It's very sad." | "It would be a miracle if they had survived all night in five degrees, freezing water. It's very sad." |
The coastguard confirmed that the ship was still attached to the Transocean Rather rig. | |
As a result, non-essential staff have been removed to Shetland as a precaution. | |
Jim Sinclair, watch commander at Shetland coastguard, said four helicopters and between six and seven surface craft had been involved in the operation. | |
He said the divers were conducting a survey and risk assessment of the ship. | |
Mr Sinclair said: "It's a very complex and delicate operation as the vessel is actually upside down and stability is uncertain so they want to make sure of their own safety before they enter the hull. | |
"She is connected and that's one of the reasons that the Transocean Rather was down manned just in case the vessel came up towards the rig on the tide change and damaged it." | |
Grampian Police said they would begin an investigation into the incident once the search and rescue operation was completed. | Grampian Police said they would begin an investigation into the incident once the search and rescue operation was completed. |
The ship, which is less than one year old, had been working in the vicinity of the Rosebank oilfield with a crew of 15. | The ship, which is less than one year old, had been working in the vicinity of the Rosebank oilfield with a crew of 15. |
'Self-supporting' | 'Self-supporting' |
Six navy divers were flown to the boat from Faslane on the Clyde. | Six navy divers were flown to the boat from Faslane on the Clyde. |
RAF spokesman Michael Mulford told the BBC: "You realise that these guys, if they have managed to find that bubble of air, if they've managed to find just somewhere to keep themselves alive, the divers will get to them. | RAF spokesman Michael Mulford told the BBC: "You realise that these guys, if they have managed to find that bubble of air, if they've managed to find just somewhere to keep themselves alive, the divers will get to them. |
"The rig and the ship, if you like, are self-supporting. And it is going to be a very nerve wracking two or three hours until we finally establish the fate of the last five." | "The rig and the ship, if you like, are self-supporting. And it is going to be a very nerve wracking two or three hours until we finally establish the fate of the last five." |
Two helicopters have been involved in the search west of the Shetlands | Two helicopters have been involved in the search west of the Shetlands |
Trond Myklebust, manager director of Bourbon Norway which owns the ship, said: "There are divers at the scene and they have heat seeking cameras and there are also diving support vessels at the location. | Trond Myklebust, manager director of Bourbon Norway which owns the ship, said: "There are divers at the scene and they have heat seeking cameras and there are also diving support vessels at the location. |
"It is still an ongoing operation." | "It is still an ongoing operation." |
Rig operator Transocean said the 99 crew members of the Transocean Rather had been accounted for. | Rig operator Transocean said the 99 crew members of the Transocean Rather had been accounted for. |
"As a precautionary measure, Transocean has taken the decision to down-man the rig of any non-essential personnel," it said in a statement. | "As a precautionary measure, Transocean has taken the decision to down-man the rig of any non-essential personnel," it said in a statement. |
"Coastguard helicopters are assisting in the down-manning of the rig. There is no report of any damage to the Transocean Rather." | "Coastguard helicopters are assisting in the down-manning of the rig. There is no report of any damage to the Transocean Rather." |
The Bourbon Dolphin had a number of roles in the North Sea, including anchor handling and towing, the installation of subsea construction blocks and operations involving remote vehicles. | The Bourbon Dolphin had a number of roles in the North Sea, including anchor handling and towing, the installation of subsea construction blocks and operations involving remote vehicles. |