Kevin Kelly,  spoke this week for the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada – which represents some Newfoundland offshore workers – and called for the Sikorsky S92 to be replaced in offshore service.  Kelly works on the Hibernia oil platform east of St. John’s, and was reacting to the 20th September issue with a Bristow Norway S92 which had to turn back to base after a problem en route to a North Sea rig (See HeliHub.com page for this incident).

New Democrat MP Jack Harris, who presented to the Wells Inquiry into offshore helicopter safety, agreed with Kelly that Cougar should consider replacing their S92 fleet.

The Canadian offshore operations from Newfoundland, are very sore about the S92 after the much-publicised Cougar Helicopters crash in March 2009 which killed 17.  The Canadian media were hot on the case of the Bristow Norway incident, including one outlet contacting HeliHub.com to see if we could help with our European connections – they were seeking a representative from Bristow Norway be interviewed within the hour.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) said Wednesday it has reviewed the incident and confirmed that the S-92A choppers transporting workers to offshore oil installations east of St. John’s have been inspected and are airworthy.

William P Johnson – HeliHub.com US correspondent