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Rescue effort after boat capsizes Rescue effort after boat capsizes
(20 minutes later)
An operation is under way to rescue six people after an oil rig support vessel capsized with 14 people on board in the North Sea. An operation has been launched to rescue six people after an oil rig support vessel capsized with 14 people on board in the North Sea.
Rescue teams said eight people had been brought to safety following the incident 100 miles off the coast of Shetland. Rescue teams said eight people had been brought to safety following the incident at 1700 BST about 75 miles west of the Shetland coast.
They said efforts to rescue the other six are continuing. They said efforts to rescue the other six were continuing.
Two coastguard helicopters and an RAF Nimrod aircraft are expected to arrive at the site shortly. Two rescue helicopters and an RAF Nimrod aircraft have been scrambled to the scene.
The boat is thought to have capsized as it turned at a platform in the vicinity of the Rosebank oilfield. An RAF spokesman said the Bourbon Dolphin was thought to have capsized as it turned close to an oil rig.
RAF spokesman Michael Mulford told BBC Radio Scotland: "The latest, as far aswe understand it, is there were 14 on board this vessel which has capsized. Clearly this is emerging as a major incident Michael MulfordRAF spokesman
"Eight have been recovered already. We have diverted a Nimrod from the IrishSea to render assistance." Michael Mulford told BBC Scotland: "What we know is that a rig support vessel, while moving away from the rig, has capsized.
"It does appear to be unfolding as a major incident". "A total of 14 people were on board, eight of whom we have recovered reasonably quickly.
She is believed to be a new vessel and was built last year. "Currently we have six persons unaccounted for. A Nimrod which was flying over the Irish Sea training has been diverted to aid in the search."
Mr Mulford said Shetland coastguard scrambled its helicopter and a second North Sea helicopter was also dispatched.
He said: "Clearly this is emerging as a major incident."
'Civilian helicopter'
"Conditions are not too bad, hopefully the weather won't be a huge factor although you never quite know. This is a fairly hostile part of the North Sea we are talking about."
Little was known about the condition of the eight who have been recovered.
A coastguard spokeswoman said: "Our coastguard helicopter is airborne and a civilian helicopter is also travelling to the scene."
The Bourbon Dolphin, a new vessel, had been working in the vicinity of the Rosebank oilfield.
It had a number of roles in the North Sea, including anchor handling and towing, the installation of subsea construction blocks and operations involving remote vehicles.