"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 Transocean Rather rig by an anchor chain.
The coastguard confirmed that the ship was still attached to Transocean Rather rig by an anchor chain.
As a result, non-essential staff have been removed to Shetland as a precaution.
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.
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 using a remotely operated vessel (ROV).
He said the divers were conducting a survey and risk assessment of the ship using a remotely operated vessel (ROV).
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.
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."
"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."
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, 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, said: "There are divers at the scene and they have heat seeking cameras and there are also diving support vessels at the location."
He added: "The vessel is more or less brand new. It has been doing this operation since it was delivered.
He added: "The vessel is more or less brand new. It has been doing this operation since it was delivered.
"This is a common task and a common job in the whole area and it's absolutely incredible what has happened. We can not understand it or believe it because this should not happen."
"This is a common task and a common job in the whole area and it's absolutely incredible what has happened. We can not understand it or believe it because this should not happen."
He said he could not speculate on what had caused the accident but said the vessel was carrying out an anchor handling operation with the rig and was connected to it.
He said he could not speculate on what had caused the accident but said the vessel was carrying out an anchor handling operation with the rig and was connected to it.
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.
Do you have any experience of working in the North Sea? What is your reaction to this story?
Send us your comments by filling in the form below.
