VOS Sailor Severely Damaged, the Owner Says

December 17, 2012

Vroon Offshore Services has announced that its VOS Sailor ERRV has suffered severe damage following very rough weather conditions in the Balmoral Field off Aberdeen, UK, Saturday morning. As previously reported, one of the crew members on board the vessel has suffered fatal injuries as a result of the incident.

The company has said that last night at approximately 23.30 hrs local time the salvage team has succeeded to connect a towing line between the Salvage Tug Kestrel and its VOS Sailor vessel, which was damaged.

The vessel is currently being towed back to the Scottish coast. A final decision of the port of refuge is yet to be made.

Eleven of the twelve crew onboard were successfully evacuated from the ship by Coast Guard helicopters.

The Coast Guard informed that at the time of the incident winds in the area were reported to be Southeasterly 60-75 knots with 6.5 metre seas.

“Management and staff at Vroon Offshore Services wish to offer their deepest condolences to the family of their deceased colleague. The company’s thoughts are with his relatives, friends and fellow crew members. Vroon Offshore Services is currently offering its support to the family in these extremely difficult times. Vroon Offshore Services would like to thank all parties involved for their efforts in the rescue and recovery operation,” said Vroon Offshore Services in a press release.

A full assessment of the damage will follow after the ship has reached its port of refuge.

[mappress]

Offshore Energy Today Staff, December 17, 2012