Offshore Rig Helicopter Ditches, All Saved by Merchant Ship

Major Search & Rescue operation followed the North Sea helicopter crash with 19 on board.

The helicopter on its way from Aberdeen to West Phoenix drilling rig ditched off the coast 15 miles west of Fair Isle.

Three RNLI lifeboats (Kirkwall, Aith and Lerwick) went to the scene, along with the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter from Stornoway, RAF Lossiemouth, and the Bond rescue helicopter from Sumburgh.

A vessel in the area at the time - the Nord Nightingale - launched its fast rescue craft which rescued the 19 people from their liferaft and brought them back to the tanker. From here they were flown by the RAF helicopter and Bond helicopter back to Kirkwall.

There were 19 people on board, all of which have now been accounted for.