17.09.2007

Wind farm workers rescued

Almost 40 crew had to be rescued after their rig listed in strong winds in the Solway Firth. The jack-up rig Lisa A was being used to work on a wind farm development between Scotland and England. However, a rescue operation was launched after fears that the vessel was in danger of overturning in gale force winds llast Sunday night.

All 38 crew members escaped without injury. During the operation, two of the vessel's legs bent, causing it to list at over 30 degrees.

The rig was being used to install foundations for 60, 420ft-high wind turbines being developed in a £325m project for E.ON.construction. The Robin Rigg wind farm development is half way between the Cumbrian and Galloway coasts - about six miles off the Scottish coast.

Work on the scheme was delayed earlier this year by the late arrival of the jack-up barge. The Rotterdam-based barge needed to undergo vital maintenance work.