Following yesterday’s helicopter tragedy in the North Sea, the UK Oil and Gas Chaplaincy has arranged for an Oil Chapel to be open for those wishing to leave floral tributes and to spend time in prayer and reflection.
The helicopter crashed while returning from an offshore oil rig on Wednesday, and it is feared that all 16 people on board have been killed, British officials said.
Police said eight bodies had been recovered but that search operations had been suspended until daylight on Thursday for the eight other people who had been on the Super Puma helicopter. Located within the Kirk Of St Nicholas Uniting, Union Street, Aberdeen, the Oil Chapel will also make available a Book of Condolence for people to sign.
The Rev Andrew Jolly, Chaplain the UK Oil and Gas Industry said: “This is a dreadful tragedy to befall the industry. When incidents like this occur it affects everyone offshore and onshore. It also impacts upon the people of Aberdeen too. The Oil Chapel has been a place of comfort and solace for people from this industry for many years. It is the natural place for people to gravitate to in times of tragedy offshore. We are grateful to the staff of St Nicholas for making this possible.
“The families of those affected by this tragedy and the wider family of those who work offshore and onshore are in our thoughts and prayers”.
The Chapel will be open from 9.30am and throughout the day.
The UK Oil & Gas Chaplaincy is administered by the Aberdeen Oil Industry Chaplaincy Trust which is fully funded by Oil and Gas UK.
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