Some of you know that I work offshore. Normally we travel by fixed wing aircraft to the Shetland Isles and then take a S92 Sikorsky helicopter out to the rig. Normally about a 5 hour round trip in total. Unfortunately due to the nice weather we're having in the UK this causes heavy fog to form around the norther North Sea as the warm air from the south meets the cold air from the north. Normally this can cause a few days of delay. Since it's been especially nice this fog has been hanging around for 3-4 weeks now. Flights are backed up by approximately 1 week, to a total of about 80+ flights waiting to travel out. This is the first time in 10 years I've done a boat transfer to a rig!
We're lucky enough to be on a floating rig (aka Semi Submersible) which is allowed to do boat transfers should it be needed. So on Tuesday I had a pleasant 26 hour sail up the East cost of Scotland, past Shetland, to the rig. Decided to take a few photos on the way up. Of course only with my phone so quality isn't great. Also the horizon is all over the place as well!
So 8am on Tuesday we gathered at a hotel in town and went through customs checks etc and got bused down to the dock prior to getting on our lovely boat :cough:.
Aberdeen harbor is quite a busy one with vessels of all sorts coming and going.
Our pilot boat for the trip out.
Old fishing village at the mouth of the harbor called Footdee. You can also see the old lighthouse and the harbor masters tower there.
Saying goodbye to the pilot boat.
Some general views of Aberdeen from the water
A really bad pic trying to capture the dolphins playing in the water
Normally the back of the boat would be cargo but there's only us on this little voyage north.
A bunch of vessels, usually tow boats for the rigs, just hanging about off the coast until a job starts up and a rig needs moved.
My Helson keeping me company on this voyage.
Our last view of the mainland. From this point onward there was nothing but ocean for about 15 hours or so. But thankfully it was during the night and we were all sleeping
One of the first rigs we've seen, about 2 hours or so from our one and about 24 hours into our journey.
And then we sailed right into the one thing thats causing us to be on the boat!
First view of our own rig
This is the Frog device that we use for personnel transfer. Self righting, buoyancy aids etc etc.
Everyone patiently waiting their turn for a transfer.
And of course still foggy
A few videos as well of us being moved to and from the rig in the Frog. TURN YOUR SOUND DOWN/OFF due to engine noise and static make it pretty unpleasant.
http://youtu.be/Q3jJhRSqVB4
http://youtu.be/ZIwaBV_-EwI
We're lucky enough to be on a floating rig (aka Semi Submersible) which is allowed to do boat transfers should it be needed. So on Tuesday I had a pleasant 26 hour sail up the East cost of Scotland, past Shetland, to the rig. Decided to take a few photos on the way up. Of course only with my phone so quality isn't great. Also the horizon is all over the place as well!
So 8am on Tuesday we gathered at a hotel in town and went through customs checks etc and got bused down to the dock prior to getting on our lovely boat :cough:.
Aberdeen harbor is quite a busy one with vessels of all sorts coming and going.
Our pilot boat for the trip out.
Old fishing village at the mouth of the harbor called Footdee. You can also see the old lighthouse and the harbor masters tower there.
Saying goodbye to the pilot boat.
Some general views of Aberdeen from the water
A really bad pic trying to capture the dolphins playing in the water
Normally the back of the boat would be cargo but there's only us on this little voyage north.
A bunch of vessels, usually tow boats for the rigs, just hanging about off the coast until a job starts up and a rig needs moved.
My Helson keeping me company on this voyage.
Our last view of the mainland. From this point onward there was nothing but ocean for about 15 hours or so. But thankfully it was during the night and we were all sleeping
One of the first rigs we've seen, about 2 hours or so from our one and about 24 hours into our journey.
And then we sailed right into the one thing thats causing us to be on the boat!
First view of our own rig
This is the Frog device that we use for personnel transfer. Self righting, buoyancy aids etc etc.
Everyone patiently waiting their turn for a transfer.
And of course still foggy
A few videos as well of us being moved to and from the rig in the Frog. TURN YOUR SOUND DOWN/OFF due to engine noise and static make it pretty unpleasant.
http://youtu.be/Q3jJhRSqVB4
http://youtu.be/ZIwaBV_-EwI
