Shetland Isles Incidents

Major Incidents in and around Shetland

"On the 30th December, 1978, the ss "Esso Bernicia" while berthing at....the port of Sullom Voe , collided with three dolphins.  As a result...the bunker tank was ruptured allowing 1,174 tons of heavy fuel oil to escape into the waters of the harbour  Considerable damage was caused to the jetty structure and to the vessel itself."  (Dolphins are concrete mooring structures).  SIC Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

At 1704 hours on 31 July 1979 a Dan-Air BAe 748 fixed-wing aircraft on charter to an oil company to get airborne while attempting to take off from Sumburgh airport, Shetland.  It overshot the runway and crashed into the sea.  Of the forty-seven people on board, seventeen died.  Police reinforcements could not reach the islands until the following day.  Many lessons were learned, particularly in relation to the establshment and operation of emergency mortuaries and the treatment of next-of-kin.  Cox, henderson & Taylor (1996).

At 1136 hours on 6 November 1986 a Boeing Vertol Chinook helicopter crashed into the sea while on final approach to Sumburhj airport, Shetland.  Only two of the forty-seven passengers and crew survived.  Because of the Dan-Air experience, it was generally agrred that the response of the emergency services had on this occasion been more effective.  There remained, however, areas of weakness in the co-ordinatiom of the response. Cox, henderson 7 Taylor (1996).

In 1990, six men died when a Sikorsky helicopter struck the Brent Spar oil storage platform.  BBC news (2002).

1st January 1992, extremely severe weather causing wide spread damage throughout the isles with gusts of wind recorded up to 170miles per hour.  Two people died wanting to have their names be the first in the Bird Sanctuary Visitor Book for 1992, when the hut they were in, plunged over the cliffs at Hermaness in Unst.  A caravan site was also devastated.

Cormorant Alpha - On 14 March 1992, eleven men died and six survived when a Super Puma helicopter crashed in the North Sea during a routine 200 yard flight, taking workers from Shell's Cormorant Alpha oil platform to an accommodation barge nearby.  The helicopter was based at Sumburgh, and because of the work don ein the Forum, it was possible to hold a formal Memorial Service on day five of the incident.  Cox, Henderson & taylor (1996) and BBC News (2002).

A major fire on the "Chernomorskaya Slava" which burned from 29 July to 9 August 1993 and involved fire units from throughout the Highlands and Islands, and from Grampian Region.  No lives lost.  SIC Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

9 November 1993 - klondiker "Lunakhods" - 60 were rescued in severe weather involving a superb rescue operation by the helicopter.  SIC Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

17 November 1993, 8 days later, the Klondiker "Borodinskoye Polye" - 155 lives were saved in a combined and difficult, lifeboat/helicopter rescue operation.  SIC Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

25 August 1994, Klondiker "Seda", fire on board during oil spill exercise in Lerwick harbour.  No lives lost.  SIC  Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

31 October 1994, the loss of the Klondiker "Pionersk" involved another difficult, combined, helicopter/lifeboat rescue operation - 156 rescued- chemical & fuel oil clean up, 8 tonnes of ammonia at sea which lasted until 9 November 1994.  SIC Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

7 November 1994 - lifeboat from londiker "Vagula" capsized and grounded in severe weather, 17 rescued, 1 death.  SIC  Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

1995, Christmas, severe weather, contingency plan put into operation - set up ad hoc emergency centre in Lerwick.

20 May 1997 - Air Ambulance crashed into field on approach to airport in severe weather.  The pilot died, the doctor was severly injured and the nurse had no injuries.

November 1997 - Freighter "Green Lily" departed Lerwick Harbour in severe weather.  15 were rescued, but the winchman of rescue helicopter was lost at sea but was later recovered.  SIC  Environment & Transportation Dept. (2000).

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