A crew member died and 11 other people
were winched to safety after a stand-by vessel in the North Sea was damaged in
rough seas.

Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted just
before 04:30 on Saturday, December 4 that the Vos
Sailor was taking on water.

The call came from a nearby installation who had heard the
faint mayday on Channel 16.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: ‘The Vos Sailor sustained significant damage and became
rendered disabled while on standby vessel duties 120 miles Northeast of
Aberdeen.

‘Six other vessels, and three helicopters were sent to the
scene, including the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter from Sumburgh, an
RAF helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth and Bond 1 – the BP Jigsaw helicopter.

‘At the time of the incident winds in the area were reported
to be Southeasterly 60 to 75 knots with 6.5-metre seas.’