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Six missing after vessel capsizes Six missing after vessel capsizes
(10 minutes later)
A major operation has been launched to rescue six people after an oil support vessel capsized in the North Sea. Six people are missing, feared trapped inside a capsized oil rig support vessel in the North Sea.
Rescue teams said eight people had been brought to safety following the incident at 1700 BST, about 75 miles west of the Shetland coast.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 were continuing.They said efforts to rescue the other six were continuing.
Two rescue helicopters and an RAF Nimrod aircraft have been scrambled to the scene and an appeal for further assistance has been made. Two rescue helicopters and an RAF Nimrod have been scrambled to the scene. The coastguard has appealed for help from vessels in the area.
An RAF spokesman said the Bourbon Dolphin was thought to have capsized as it turned close to an oil rig.An RAF spokesman said the Bourbon Dolphin was thought to have capsized as it turned close to an oil rig.
Clearly this is emerging as a major incident Michael MulfordRAF spokesman We're still searching for six and of course the difficult situation for everybody is if those six are still strapped inside the hull Mark ClarkCoastguard spokesman
Michael Mulford told BBC Scotland: "What we know is that a rig support vessel, while moving away from the rig, has capsized.Michael Mulford told BBC Scotland: "What we know is that a rig support vessel, while moving away from the rig, has capsized.
"A total of 14 people were on board, eight of whom we have recovered reasonably quickly."A total of 14 people were on board, eight of whom we have recovered reasonably quickly.
"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.""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.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."He said: "Clearly this is emerging as a major incident."
'Civilian helicopter''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.""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.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." Mark Clark, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "At the moment we've got a mayday signal out, with an emergency signal out with all shipping in the area.
"Anybody with diving support crews, dive equipment can get on the scene for us as quickly as possible.
"We're still searching for six and of course the difficult situation for everybody is if those six are still strapped inside the hull. And therefore we need to get to them as quickly as possible."
The Bourbon Dolphin, a new vessel, had been working in the vicinity of the Rosebank oilfield.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.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.