UK Island Panther Safely Returns to Shore After Incident

Five personnel were safely brought back to Wells on the personnel transfer vessel Island Panther on Wednesday night after the vessel was involved in a collision in the field with a transition piece.

Immediately after the incident the Coastguard was alerted and lifeboats from Wells and Cromer were directed to meet the vessel. The vessel with four crew members and one wind farm worker on board was met by lifeboat just outside Wells and the personnel were assessed by a doctor from the lifeboat, before the Island Panther made her way back into Wells Outer Harbour, from where the five persons on board were taken to hospital in King’s Lynn. All five personnel were given medical treatment, and all have since been discharged from hospital. Two personnel will return to hospital today for follow up treatment.

Project Director Rune Rønvik said that it was an unfortunate incident but that all personnel had been quickly and safely brought back to shore, in accordance with the site safety procedures. He further stated,” We will carry out a full investigation into this incident, however in the meantime we are very pleased that all personnel involved have been provided with appropriate support and treatment, and that our safety procedures worked effectively.”

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Press release, November 25, 2012; Image: safehavenmarine