Bourbon AHTS Capsizes off Shetland Islands

The Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) Bourbon Dolphin, operated by Bourbon Offshore Norway, capsized 75 nautical miles off of Shetland Islands with 15 people on board. The Shetland Coast Guard rescued ten members of the crew after an operation involving a coastguard rescue helicopter and three vessels.

Three Norwegian crewmembers were confirmed dead while rescue efforts continued for the other crewmembers. According to Shipping Times, there is speculation as to what could have happened to the vessel. It was reported that the vessel was handling an anchor for the rig Transocean Rather at the time and the anchor may have slipped, making the vessel unstable. Bourbon Offshore is continuing rescue missions and will conduct a press conference from the Norway office. Ulstein Verft shipyard in Norway, the yard that built the Bourbon Dolphin, which capsized in the North Sea last night has issued the following statement:

"We have been informed that Bourbon Dolphin, delivered from Ulstein Verft in the autumn of 2006, has capsized. We cannot speculate on the reasons for this accident. Our thougths go to the missing and the families of those involved", said Ulstein Verft's CEO Gunvor Ulstein.