Oil workers plucked to safety

SIXTY oil and gas workers were airlifted from a floating North Sea platform yesterday after several anchor chains broke in 30ft seas.

Helicopters evacuated half the 114 people aboard the Gryphon A, 175 miles north-east of Aberdeen, after four of its ten anchors were severed and two people suffered minor injuries.

The alarm was raised at 7:20am as the platform was buffeted by 60mph winds and recorded a 12-degree roll.

Aberdeen Coastguard, assisted by a helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, co-ordinated the airlift of non-essential personnel from the unit. Production was shut down.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "The vessel's thrusters are still in operation and the team on board are trying to maintain their position in the very poor weather.

A spokesman for platform operator Maersk said: "Reports from offshore indicate that four of the ten anchor chains have failed.

"Power which failed initially was restored and the vessel is in a stable condition.

"The installation's standby vessel is in close support and three tugs have been mobilised to assist.

"As weather conditions are improving, a precautionary down-manning of non-essential personnel by helicopter has commenced to nearby installations.

"The Maersk Oil onshore emergency response team is co-ordinating support services and all relevant organisations have been notified," the Maersk spokesman added.

The Coastguard also had to help secure the Amadeus, an 83ft fishing boat that broke free from its moorings at Scalloway pier in Shetland.