I believe things have changed since I retired in 1999 and this flight would not have taken place in these conditions.......however at that time operations in the prevailing weather were normal - it was just the safety boat comment which cast doubt on things. It was only after I retired in 1999 that sea state became a formal go/no go consideration. It's not recorded on the report but the Santa Fe 140 deck movement must have been within the Ops Manual limits for that helicopter type. That was a maximum pitch and roll of 5 degrees each and a deck heave of 5 metres.Routing ABZ-SF140-SUM-ABZ
On approaching the East Shetland Basin it became obvious that we were the only helicopter operating due to 10 metre waves and 55-60 kt winds. Bristow Sumburgh advised us that the Santa Fe 140 rig standby boat had called to say he would be unable to effect a rescue in the event of a ditching.
I asked for the situation to be referred to Aberdeen for a decision although I was happy to continue. Bristow Sumburgh advised that the Aberdeen Duty Captain gave the okay to continue.
I record this only as I can foresee that a landing in these circumstances could be referred to an Offshore Safety Committee and passed to Bristow for comment.
I'm really glad that on days such as that one I can nowadays sit back in my armchair without risk of a callout from Ops...