SAR team in action

Although his fellow crew members had got him back on board, he needed speedy medical assistance. The incident had occurred 70 nautical miles north-east of Ekofisk. 

After reporting available search and rescue (SAR) resources to the joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC) for southern Norway, it became clear that Ekofisk was the closest to render assistance. 

“We had a SAR helicopter handy, and were in the air within 10 minutes,” recalls senior medic Ronny Helland on the field. It took 30 minutes to reach the fishing boat. 

This was a relatively small vessel with limited room, which made lowering a rescue man and SAR medic in waves roughly three metres high all the more challenging. 

Once on board, they determined that the patient’s condition was critical and that rapid transport to land was required. He was therefore hoisted into the helicopter. 

After receiving active treatment throughout the flight, the patient arrived at Stavanger University Hospital (SUS). 

Just 107 minutes passed between the Mayday call and the SAR helicopter landing at the SUS – which shows how effective the emergency response was.[REMOVE]

Fotnote: ConocoPhillips’ website, 9 May 2019.