CAA 'aware of locator problems'

Locators were withdrawn after the ditching in February

Problems with devices blamed for hampering rescue efforts when a helicopter ditched in the North Sea were known in 2003, it has emerged.

Personal locator beacons were withdrawn after the Super Puma came down in February. All 18 on board were rescued.

Aberdeen North MP Frank Doran tabled questions at Westminster on the issue.

He was told the Civil Aviation Authority was aware of problems in 2003 but only began discussing concerns with helicopter operators in January.

The under secretary of state for transport, Paul Clark, told Mr Doran the authority did not act sooner because the devices were not part of a helicopter's approved equipment.

The CAA has said the issues did not really come to the fore until the ditching, and since then the organisation has been liaising with the industry to find a way forward.