Monday 20 April 2009

Oil & Gas UK workgroup identifies technical specifications for personal locator beacons

The work group that was set up by Oil & Gas UK soon after a helicopter ditched in the North Sea in February, has today (19 April 2009) met to discuss a draft technical specification for personal locator beacons, which, if accepted and implemented, will allow the use of the safety beacons without interfering with the long range rescue beacons that are fitted to the helicopter and life rafts.

The proposed specification will be discussed with the Civil Aviation Authority and within the industry over the next few days.

Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK's health and safety director, said: "Finding a technical solution that will allow personal safety beacons to be safely reinstalled has been a matter of urgency. I am pleased with the progress that has been made and the outcome of the meeting today. Changing the personal locator beacon specification is a challenging task and we have to realise that there is no immediate solution. However, we will ask the Civil Aviation Authority to review the draft specification as a matter of urgency."

ENDS

 

For further information contact Britta Hallbauer on 07891769113