Maersk Floating Platform in Heavy Weather in North Sea

Aberdeen Coastguard are currently monitoring developments on the Gryphon A, operated by Maersk, a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) which is being buffeted by very heavy weather in the North Sea.

The platform is based 175 miles north east of Aberdeen.

Winds are currently 53 knots from the north west and the platform was recording a 12 degree roll earlier this morning. Nine metre seas are also being recorded.

The unit is a floating vessel used by the offshore industry for the processing and storage of oil and gas. There are 114 people on board the vessel who have been mustered to their emergency positions. Two minor injuries have been recorded.

Several anchor mooring positions have given way in the extreme weather conditions and production has been shut down. The vessels thrusters are still in operation and the team on board are trying to maintain their position in the very poor weather. The companys emergency shoreside team is co-ordinating support services. No gas has been detected.

Work is underway with the air rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss (ARCCK) to alert nearby platforms to take non-essential personnel should that prove necessary and helicopter bases have been put on standby although the weather is due to improve from midday onwards.

Three tugs have been sent to the area and are due to arrive at 18:30 this evening to help stabilise the situation. A fourth vessel is on standby.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agencys counter pollution team has also been alerted to the developments.