Offshore Helicopter Safety Committee

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/276/24

13^th November 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL OFFSHORE BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

A meeting of the offshore helicopter safety committee took place on 11^th October 2024. For information, these are the issues that were raised and discussed:

 

Trade Union Updates

 

• UK Offshore Workforce Helicopter Concerns
• Norwegian crash (February 2024) update.
• Low level flying – preliminary report circulated and will be added to the minutes. 
• Offshore crew change delays, cancellations and client shared helicopter.

 

Commentary: Most of the problems with Bristow’s could be knock on effect of spare shortages. Bristow’s and CHC are running a lean operation and there are pilot shortages and fatigue amongst engineering grades. CHC are involved currently in pay negations and most of the operators are losing crew, some pilots are leaving and not returning. The reason for the turnover is down in part to low pay and poor rostering in comparison to what other companies offer.  The pilots can pick and choose now where they want to work.  Operators are running the service on a shoestring and not passing the costs onto the clients.  Some pilots are now going to fixed wing opportunities or to jobs in the Middle East.  This seems to only apply to flying crew and less so to the maintenance crew.   There is a shortage of pilots, not the same numbers transferring from military to civil as was historically the case. 

 

Helicopter Spare Shortages

•           Safety notice to be added to the minutes.  Employers are still claiming that shortages are not causing any issues. There are 27 S92’s grounded and used for spares. There has been no mention from any operators about what they are doing to get spares and the shipping supply chain remains constricted.  

 

Applications for gearbox life to be extended will create concern and unrest. Concern about re-introduction of the Airbus Super Pumas would also be strongly opposed by offshore members.  Information to be shared amongst the group. 

 

Suspension of helicopters landing at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI)

•           Step Change in Safety meeting was informed that ARI have set up a working group to try and get helicopters landing at the ARI. Search and rescue are providing on board medical treatment, this is not the case in the event of a Medi-vac from an installation.

•           Concerns are how long you wait for an ambulance.

•           How long the transit will take to the ARI after an offshore Medi-Vac.

•           Downdraft is greater on large helicopters than the search and rescue models.

 

I can advise members that RMT is engaging with other offshore unions and the Step Change in Safety group on concerns about helicopter safety standards. Members should contact their union via your branch or your Lead Officer Ann Joss with any concerns about or experiences of the safety of offshore helicopter transport which you rely on. 

 

Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

            Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch 

General Secretary