Huge semi-submersible accommodation vessel, the Safe Bristolia, is adrift in the North Sea having broken free while undertow.

The incident occurred due to high wind and waves on Sunday morning while the Flotel was being towed by the Norwegian registered Sea Lynx.

A Spokeswoman for Prosafe issues the following statement:

“The Safe Bristolia was being relocated when the tow line parted on 3rd January at 07:46. The marine crew [POB 33] onboard are all accounted for and are preparing for the recovery operation.

The Safe Bristolia is a semi-submersible accommodation vessel, which when in operation is moored by eight anchors. We are monitoring the situation continuously, and can, if necessary, drop one or more anchors to stop further drifting. However, since the vessel is in open water east of Scotland and the original tow vessel is still in attendance, it is more convenient to wait and try to re-establish the tow. Prosafe have secured a second anchor-handling vessel that is currently en route to support the recovery operation

Weather conditions are gradually improving and we estimate that we will attempt to re-establish the tow tomorrow, Tuesday, 5th January.”

Safe Bristolia was built in 1983 to a Sedco 602 design and converted to an accommodation vessel in 2006. Further refit and modification works were completed in 2008 to meet UKCS regulations for operations in the UK North Sea.

Source Oil and Gas People