HSE examines Shetland tug tragedy

Eight of the 15 crew died when the Bourbon Dolphin overturned

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is considering whether there were any breaches of UK legislation before the Bourbon Dolphin tragedy off Shetland.

The rig support vessel capsized off Shetland with the loss of eight lives last year.

An official report published last week said the vessel was not suitable for the job it was doing.

The HSE will be submitting its own report to the procurator fiscal in Aberdeen.

Norway's prosecutor has still to decide whether criminal charges will be brought against any of the parties involved in the incident.

Dragged over

The report cited weaknesses in the vessel design and failures in safety procedures by the company, the operator and on the rig itself.

The captain's 14-year-old son was among those who died when the vessel capsized.

The Bourbon Dolphin overturned when an anchor handling operation with a drilling rig went wrong.

It was pulling a heavy anchor chain which suddenly slid across to the side of the deck and started to drag the vessel over.

The two main engines stopped and seconds later the Bourbon Dolphin capsized.

Seven of the 15 crew survived.