Helicopter beacons reintroduced

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8502789.stm

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Personal locator beacons have been re-introduced on North Sea helicopter flights.

The beacons were taken out of service after a Super Puma crashed into the sea in February 2009 as it tried to land on a BP production platform.

The two crew and 16 oil workers on board survived without serious injury.

It later emerged that the personal locator beacons they wore had interfered with signals being sent by the helicopter and its life rafts.

The industry has been trying to find a solution for the past year.

Now, after extensive testing a new beacon approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, the beacons will be re-introduced from Monday beginning with flights from Aberdeen.

The beacons are mounted on lifejackets and will now be standard issue for all passengers on helicopter flights offshore in the UK.