- TMF
- EPOL
- OREEF
TMF
The following summarises the points covered at the May meeting of the TMF and June meetings of both EPOL and OREEF. Should you have any queries on the content, please contact us through OEER.
TMF held remotely on 22 May.
- Incident statistics shared by HM Coastguard and OHS (industry SAR helicopter) and a discussion held regarding identified trends.
- Highlighted some occasions where there have been lengthy transfer waits from helicopter to hospital but often due to low acuity of the patient.
- Mental health subgroup update confirmed that a review of the Acute Psychiatric Emergencies document is underway and will be incorporating reference to renewables and the updated APEX document.
- Discussion around the work looking at big persons offshore.
- HM Coastguard provided an update on the new medical evacuation timescales and there was a short discussion regarding these. The updates have since been approved as per the news update on the OEER website.
- Police Scotland raised medevacs and fatalities within younger individuals and also about drug use. It was agreed that this would be included on the agenda for the next meeting.
EPOL
SUMMARY POINTS FROM EPOL QUARTERLY MEETING, HELD AT BOSKALIS, 4 JUNE 2025
- Proposal for media subgroup/workshop – to enhance preparedness, document review, sharing and exercises, and review outstanding media guidelines for offshore emergencies/incidents. Suggestion that it should be led by an operator’s media representative and supported by media consultants from various companies, plus Police, OEUK, HMCG etc. Awaiting confirmation of who will lead this.
- Proposal for acute psychiatric emergencies offshore subgroup/workshop – to explore implications for the existing guidance, which is currently being reviewed by the Topside Medical Forum. Will check the revised guidance once available, scope the issues that need exploring, reach out to the EPOL members before the next meeting, and take this to the TMF also.
- Proposal to include a disclaimer paragraph in EPOL guidance documents – Police Scotland has submitted a draft disclaimer paragraph to Police Scotland’s ‘Legal Enquiries’ dept for checking, and EPOL members will also be asked to review this before implementation.
- Proposal to plan an EPOL-led exercise for multiple operators to test SWAPs simultaneously. Will identify aims and objectives, and scope it out with relevant EPOL members. Option to run multiple small exercises, focusing on clusters of relevant assets in close proximity to each other. Police, Coastguard and OEUK to assist, and can invite training providers also.
- HM COASTGUARD UPDATE – Update on medevac timescales to be circulated shortly. Analytics for new OEER website show 3,275 visits in May. A new feedback form has been added to the site with encouragement for users to complete this. Changes now made to the publications page, with dates of upload included, ordered by most recent update first. Forthcoming Exercise Blyth now has a link for observers at 10 am, 17 June 2025 – full details at www.oeer.uk/oreef.
- IADC UPDATE – 4 semi-submersibles and 14 jack-ups in operation at present. Generally fewer drilling contracts ongoing due to government levies. IADC equipment list used by members worldwide. ‘Working at height on tubulars offshore’ available as guidance later this year. 53 of their members have signed up to the mental health charter. Forthcoming world drilling conference 10–11 June, Amsterdam.
- NORFOLK POLICE UPDATE – Continuing liaison, e.g. forthcoming offshore wind Exercise Blyth.
- POLICE SCOTLAND – One offshore Police deployment since the last EPOL meeting (sudden death from natural causes on a jack-up rig, 18 April 2025). EPOL members and colleagues reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or protestors to Police. The latest ILO course was delivered 26–29 May 2025 in Aberdeen. 13 attendees including 7 from Police Scotland, 2 from Humberside, 1 from Merseyside, 1 from Cumbria, 1 from N Wales and a RNLO. This has given us 4 new trained ILOs in PSOS, bringing our cadre now to 31. Thanks to external speakers and to OHS helicopters & Vroon for their demonstrations.
- SECURITY COMMITTEE UPDATE – Recent offshore security conference successful, proposing to hold another one in Aberdeen next year. Next OEUK Security Committee meeting scheduled for 16 June 2025. ToRs will be adjusted to introduce a tiered meeting/information approach.
- HELICOPTERS LANDING RESTRICTIONS AT HOSPITALS – Keith Chalmers (OHS) presented on SAR helicopters being unable to land at ARI and transfer options to hospital. NHS Grampian is working to reintroduce direct helicopter access to ARI; timescale is uncertain. Inverness and Edinburgh hospitals remain available.
OREEF
June OREEF meeting hosted by Ørsted in Grimsby
- Roy Dickson thanked for his time as chairperson. Sarah Bray of Vattenfall voted in as new chair. Online poll will be arranged for vice-chair at the September meeting.
- Lessons learned shared by HM Coastguard & Humberside Police after the Solong & Stena Immaculate collision, including industry support response. Members were reminded to flag any Mayday-response issues with Coastguard and to consider childcare needs during lengthy incidents.
- New medevac timescales released by HM Coastguard – to be updated in OEER documentation.
- Police exploring training to transfer officers onto turbines during incidents.
- OREEF exercise matrix reviewed to ensure regular, suitable exercises across the UK.
- OEUK leading the environmental subgroup to develop Marine Pollution Contingency Plan guidance.
- Performance standards workgroup is drafting a template for industry standards.
- Beacons guidance paper finalised pending minor feedback; reminder that AU10 beacons require manual arming.