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22 December 2005
CHRISTMAS AT SEA FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RESCUE CREWS
Approximately 1,500 seafarers on the North Sea's emergency response and rescue vessel fleet will spend the festive season maintaining their vital support role to the offshore oil and gas industry.
They will crew the 120 vessels that will be on duty over Christmas and New Year as they carry out their role providing a continuous, 365-days-a-year emergency response service to the offshore installations in the North Sea.
This will also be a festive season with a difference for one young seafarer. Kevin Riddoch, of Portsoy, has embarked on his first-ever trip on an emergency response vessel as it undertakes its tour of duty over the Christmas period.
Kevin (24), who has just completed an Efficient Deck Hand course at Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh, joined the crew of the Trafalgar Guardian as a trainee. The vessel is operated by Viking Offshore Services and is currently on contract to Nexen Petroleum, supporting the Transocean John Shaw drilling rig.
He said:
"A few of my friends said it was a good career to go into, and although it is Christmas I'm still looking forward to the trip."
Kevin will continue a programme of training courses under his new employment.
John Wilson, Chairman of the Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel Association, said:
"Christmas can obviously be a difficult time for crews spending the festive season working away from home, but, like everyone working offshore, they are extremely professional in their work and know they have a key role to fulfil at all times.
"These ships and their crews are the first on the scene in any major incident offshore, providing the front line of the rescue services that the offshore operators require."
Ends
Issued on behalf of ERRVA by the BIG Partnership. Media inquiries to Bill Phillips/Zoe Corsi on (01224) 224425.