The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bristow

  • Bristow boosts capacity development for immigration

    Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. has donated two multi-million naira blocks of classrooms and two solar-powered boreholes to the Nigeria Immigration Training School (NIS), Kano, as parts of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    The company also said it will soon unveil similar projects at NIS training school in Ahoda, River State, in order to guarantee good learning environment for Immigration officials who it said deserves conducive training environment.

    The Managing Director, Capt. Oladapo Oyeleke, who handed the projects over at the weekend, said they were strategically conceived to enhance quality training for efficient service delivery by the NIS “who are key to the country’s development efforts”.

    He noted that Bristow’s intention for embanking on the projects is in line with the organisation’s belief and commitment to professionalism through sustained capacity development.

    The Managing Director said it is the vision of Bristow Helicopters to replicate global standard centres across the NIS training schools as parts of its corporate social responsibility. Comptroller-General of the NIS Muhammed Babandede hailed Bristow Helicopters for the donation and appealed to other corporate organisations to emulate the gesture.

    Muhammed hinted that the NIS, under his leadership, has enhanced both human and capital development for efficient service delivery and results achievements.

    According to him, no fewer than 651 cadets are currently undergoing a six-month training at the NIS facility in Kano, a figure which he said is the highest in the history of NIS.

     

  • Workers ground operations of Bristow, Caverton Helicopters

    PROTESTING  workers yesterday grounded the operations of Bristow Helicopters and Caverton Helicopters over the firms’ alleged refusal to meet their demands.

    Under the aegis of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and Association of Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the workers, among others, refused to supply fuel for the choppers’ use.

    At the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) wing of the Lagos Airport, they blocked the entrance and exit gates of Bristow Helicopters.

    Singing solidarity songs and dancing to music blaring from loud speakers, they condemned  the   Bristow management for allegedly  maltreating them.

    They displayed placards with inscriptions like : “Racism in Bristow must stop,”  ‘’Nigerian jobs for Nigerians,” “ We say no to forced labour in Bristow,” “ Stop abusing and violating our rights and privileges,” among others.

    Addressing them,  NAAPE National President Comrade Galadima Abednego said they were forced to shut down Bristow and Caverton Helicopters because of the firms’ alleged failure to address workers’ welfare.

    He said NAAPE’s  attempts  in the last four years to get Bristow management to do the needful had failed despite the interventions of the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Interior as well as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    Abednego said: “The management of Bristow Group has been unrelenting in violating both the spirit and letters of the conditions of service wittingly agreed to by them. The airline has kept pilots and engineers progression at bay. Refusal to pay for forced work rotation which they kept in place for the whole year in 2017.

    “Our union has tried every form of engagement with the hope of securing an amicable settlement of these issues. But our forbearance has been taken for granted, and our patience has been repaid with scorn and mockery by the management. Having no further means to get amelioration, our union has no alternative than to embark on this industrial action.”

    On Caverton, the NAAPE leader said the firm’s operations were shut because it ‘’has been short-changing our members’’.

    He said: “We shut down Caverton Helicopters operations because the condition of service has expired. The management has been using delay tactics. “

  • Revealed: Why Bristow hired third party firm for audit

    Revealed: Why Bristow hired third party firm for audit

    Facts have emerged on why rotary wing operator  Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited engaged a United Kingdom (UK) firm, Aviateq International Limited, to carry out third party audit of its operations.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that Bristow gave the job to the firm because of its competence in handling safety management systems.

    Bristow’s decision may have raised concerns in the industry over the quality of audits by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which investigation of the airline’s Sirkorsky C76 chopper type revealed nothing significant.

    The audit followed “the landing on water” of the airline’s chopper on February 3.

    At a forum a few weeks ago, the Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr Felix Abali, insisted that the bureau’s duty is to investigate accidents and make safety recommendations to aircraft operators, the regulator and manufacturers.

    According to him, it is NCAA’s duty to ensure such safety recommendations arising from accident reports are implemented.

    A source close to the authority hinted that it had focused more on fixed wing (aircraft) operators rather than on rotary wing  (helicopter) operators which operations and equipment type are  different.

    A player, who pleaded not to named, urged  AIB and  NCAA to collaborate in the implementation of safety recommendations from accident reports. The expert said if the NCAA had implemented previous safety recommendations on operators, the spate of air crashes or serious incidents could have been  reduced.

    He said: “How many safety recommendations identified by AIB on operators have been enforced by the NCAA. This is enough reason for airlines to start thinking of engaging independent safety auditors.”

    The source hinted that the determination of Bristow to engage an international safety audit firm might have raised concerns over the quality of inspectors in charge of helicopters at the regulatory body, which recently got a directorate of general aviation.

    Sources hinted that slow enforcement of safety recommendations by the regulator may have triggered fresh posers among operators .

    But the Senior Legal Director of Bristow, Olu Olubanjo, said the decision to invite the foreign  safety auditors is not an indictment of the oversight duties of the NCAA.

    He said though the NCAA has completed its comprehensive audit, the airline will be comfortable with another third party audit to enhance its operations.

    The one week audit by the foreign firm will end this week.

    He said Bristow is favourably disposed to this arrangement because Aviateq International Limited provides specialist services to the aviation industry, especially in  auditing of aviation organisations and facilities, development and implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Airports and Aircraft Operations

    He said the audit by the foreign firm will enable Bristow share with other operators possible findings of safety concern.

    According to him, “We feel that it is necessary to invite an independent auditor to look at our operations and we are ready to learn from their findings.

    “This is the reason we canvassed that any comprehensive review of operations should be extended to other helicopter operators in Nigeria so that best practices can be shared to enhance safety across the industry.”

    He said the airline is set to look inward at its operations to learn possible lessons from its last serious incidents and accidents.

    Bristow Helicopters, he said, is   committed to safety having operated for 50 years in Nigeria.

    He said its fleet of Sikosky aircraft are well-maintained in Nigeria by local engineers and the airline’s technical partners.

    Global Operations’Bristow Group, Vice President, Mike Imlach, said maintenance of the airline’s fleet was carried out thoroughly and that the airline is one of the few that carries out its maintenance checks totally by itself.

    Imlach said: “We have resumed flying and have started flying our clients to Port Harcourt and Abuja on the Sirkorsky S-76 aircraft that has complied with the NCAA’s comprehensive audit.

    “I want to say that we are a safe airline and follow all our safety procedures. We do all our maintenance in the country and we are one of the few airlines that do not take our aircraft out of the country for checks.”

    He said all maintenance was done in compliance with the manufacturer’s directive.

    The airline’s Vice President/Chief Technical Officer, John Cloggie, said his organisation over the years has embarked on training Nigerian pilots and engineers.

    On the maintenance of the aircraft, Vice President/Chief Safety Officer, Environment, Health and Safety Sikosky, George Klug, said the aircraft type is well-maintained and that he could fly the aircraft to anywhere at any time to show how the confidence he has on the Sikorsky fleet.

  • Bristow resumes service of Sirkorsky C 76 chopper

    Bristow resumes service of Sirkorsky C 76 chopper

    •Confirms completion of NCAA comprehensive audit

    Sirkorsky 76 C ++ aircraft on the fleet of Bristow Helicopters yesterday returned to service following  the completion of comprehensive operational audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) on the airline.

    The aircraft type on the fleet of Bristow was suspended from flights operations by NCAA 31 days ago when it ditched into the Atlantic Ocean with passengers and crew rescued alive.

    A statement by the airline’s Public Relations Consultant, Cornelius Onuoha, said the aircraft and company have returned to extensive safety activities.

    The company, he said, has also engaged a reputable independent third party aviation firm to conduct an additional review of its entire operations in Nigeria.

    Bristow, he added, would want the review be extended to other operators in Nigeria so that best practices can be shared to enhance safety across the industry.

    Onuoha said the firm has commenced discussions with a number of operators regarding their participation.

    Vice President, Global Operations of Bristow, Mike Imlach, said: “We thank the NCAA for conducting a thorough review of our operations.

    “We completed a detailed safety inspection of our S-76 series helicopters and test flights for all [16] S-76 aircraft in compliance with the NCAA.

    “Our Group president and CEO, Jonathan Baliff, was a passenger in one of the approved non-revenue test flights to demonstrate his confidence in the safety of our S-76 fleet.”

    Bristow, he further said, is in full compliance with NCAA regulatory requirements and all Sikorsky directives for its fleet.

  • Bristow slams NAPIMS over helicopter ditch

    Bristow slams NAPIMS over helicopter ditch

    Bristow Helicopters has slammed the de-marketing of its operations by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

    NAPIMS at the weekend requested clients to terminate their contracts with Bristow.

    The order was not unconnected with the ditching of one of its Sirkorsky C 76 ++ helicopter into the Atlantic Ocean on February 3, 2016.

    The airline, which believes such measures by NAPIMS is uncalled for, said it has engaged the authorities and other government officials to resolve the matter.

    Bristow said it is complying with the regulatory body, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the accident investigation Bureau (AIB) on issues that led to the controlled ditch of its helicopter into the Atlantic.

    “A comprehensive audit has been performed by the NCAA. We are also conducting series of additional safety assurance checks on the Sikorsky S-76 fleet as a precautionary measure prior to returning the aircraft to service,” the firm said.

    Bristow also said it has engaged an independent third party to conduct an additional review of its operations in Nigeria to ensure that best practices can be shared laterally across all operators to further enhance safety.

  • Bristow urges chopper operators’ safety audit

    Bristow Helicopters yesterday called for an industry-led safety audit of all chopper operators in the oil and gas industry by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) .

    The call comes just as the Accident Investigation Bureau ( AIB )  awaits the arrival of the manufacturers of the Sirkorsky C 76 ++  Helicopter that ditched into the Atlantic Ocean on February 3 this year.

    Bristow said the audit will enhance safety.

    In a statement, the airline  said such audit is not with prejudice to the exercise already embarked upon by the  NCAA.

    ” Without prejudice to ongoing investigations, Bristow welcomes an industry led  audit of its operations in Nigeria.

    “This is with the expectation that it will also extend to include the audit of other similar entities active in the  oil and gas industry.

    “Our expectation is such that any findings can be shared laterally across all operators to further enhance safety,” the carrier said.

    Meanwhile, the airline said it will continue to make contributions to the development of the industry with the training and employment of Nigerian pilots and engineers .

    Bristow said all Nigerian crew (the Captain and the First Officer) of Bristow S76C++ helicopter (5N-BQJ), which carried out a precautionary landing on February 3  were recruited and trained in Nigeria and also at the Bristow Academy in Titusville, Florida, in the United States, in accordance with Bristow’s training programme.

    ”Bristow training programme fully complies with the regulatory requirements of both the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and international standards,” the firm said.

  • Bristow chopper crash survivors in ‘onshore installation’

    Bristow chopper crash survivors in ‘onshore installation’

    The 11 survivors of the Bristow chopper which “landed on water” on Wednesday are on an “onshore installation”, the charter airline operator said last night.

    Bristow Helicopters did not name the “onshore installation” nor how the survivors are faring.

    A statement issued on the company’s behalf merely said the nine passengers and two crew arrives at the unnamed location “with only minor injuries.

    Before the statement, there were fears over the survivors’ whereabouts.

    The survivors, who were rescued around the ERHA oil field in the Gulf of Guinea, about 85 nautical miles South East of Lagos Port and 40 nautical miles off Igbokoda, were said to have been taken to the nearest hospital ashore by a speedboat, SURFER P2621.

    But yesterday, The Nation learnt that another Bristow helicopter airlifted the nine passengers and two crew members on Wednesday evening.

    The “ditched” helicopter, it was learnt, was also recovered and loaded on a barge with a crane.

    The Nation gathered that among the survivors is one Nicholas Oten. The pilot’s name was given as Captain Obinna.

    Marked N5BQJ, the helicopter, according to sources, fell into the sea around 10:20am on its way to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    All the passengers were rescued by a Merchant Vessel, MV DIJAMA, which launched two of its small boats and live rafts, upon sighting them.

    Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) spokespersons told The Nation that the airline and the oil firm whose, workers were on board the chopper have taken charge of the situation.

    NEMA’s spokesman for Southwest Ibrahim Farinloye said since no life was lost, the agency did not ask for the manifest.

    “It is a private matter really. The oil company and the airline have taken charge. We cannot be asking for manifest since there was no casualty. I do not know where they took them to.

    “But the accident occurred around ERHA oil field and the helicopter has been recovered,” he said.

  • 11 rescued as Bristow chopper ‘lands on water’

    11 rescued as Bristow chopper ‘lands on water’

    Bristow helicopter marked N5BQJ yesterday landed on the high sea off Ondo State, with the 11 passengers on board rescued.

    The chopper, which was coming from Bonny Island in Rivers State, made an emergency landing at about 136.70 nautical miles, approximately 254km inward Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) spokesman Tunji Oketunbi confirmed the crash in a short message service (SMS).

    It was learnt that the plane fell into the water around 9:20am.

    Associated Press (AP) reported that all the passengers, including two crew members, who were on life raft, were rescued from the lagoon near the traffic-choked Third Mainland Bridge, between the Mainland and Victoria Island.

    The Nation gathered that the co-pilot, a woman, suffered dislocation; the pilot and others had injuries.

    It was learnt that the helicopter developed a fault mid-air, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at Latitude 05.49.39m north and Longitude 004.17.041m east.

    Those on board were said to have floated on water, making it easy for a nearby Merchant Vessel, MV DIJAMA, to sight and rescue them.

    Emergency teams of Shell, Mobil, Agip, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Nigerian Navy (NN), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) participated in the swift rescue operation which took about 90 minutes.

    Efforts are on to recover the chopper’s debris.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Ralph Osondu said MV DIJAMA launched two of its boats to rescue the passengers.

    “MV DIJAMA was the first to get to the scene. It happened 40 nautical miles from Igbokoda, Ondo State. The helicopter had nine passengers and two crew members.

    “All were rescued alive and handed over to a speedboat, SURFER P2621, which took them ashore to the nearest hospital (in Ondo State),” he said.

    LASEMA General Manager Michael Akindele said three RRS search and rescue helicopters were sent to the scene.

    He attributed the operation’s success to the recent air simulation organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Lagos, praising all the stakeholders for their prompt response.

    “The helicopter ditched inside the ocean. However, 11 souls on board are alive and there is no casualty. We appreciate the support of Agip, Mobil and Shell oil companies in the provision of speed boat. Bristol Helicopter also provided landing boat for the evacuation of the survivors.

    “The survivors were rescued because there was adherence in the use of life jacket. The success of this is attributed to the will of God and the recently conducted emergency preparedness simulation of air crash by NEMA, LASEMA and other stakeholders.

    “Further investigation on the crash will be looked into by the relevant authorities,” he said.

    Ditching in aviation par lance is when an aircraft plunges into water during an emergency.

    Oketumbi said AIB has launched a probe into the crash.

    The chopper, an S76 C ++ helicopter fell into the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles to its destination around 10.20 am.

    Oketumbi said: “A S76 C++ helicopter marked 5N-BQJ belonging to Bristow Helicopters, which departed ERHA Platform en route Lagos ditched into the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles into destination at about 10:20am local time.

    “All the eleven souls on board including two crew members were rescued alive. Accident Investigation Bureau AIB has commenced investigation into the occurrence. Details will be communicated to you later.”

    Last August 12, a Bristow Helicopter aircraft with 12 passengers on board, crashed into the Oworoshoki end of the Lagos Lagoon. Four persons died in the accident.

    The helicopter was on the way to an oil rig when it crashed.

    Experts are raising concerns about the recurring accidents involving the S76 C ++ helicopter type flown by Bristow.

    Helicopters have been involved in a series of crashes in the country.

    On February 24, 1991, a British Helicopter crashed in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, killing the nine people on board.

    On July 26, 2004, a Pan African Airlines’ helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in Escravos, Delta State, killing the four people on board.

    On, November 10, 2006, OAS Service Helicopter crashed in Warri, Delta State, also killing the four persons on board.

    On March 14, 2012, a helicopter belonging to the Joint Task Force (JTF) crashed in Kabong, Jos, killing those onboard, including four senior police officers.

    There was also crash involving a Bristow helicopter in July 14, 2011 in Port Harcourt.

  • Our helicopter landed on water, says Bristow

    Our helicopter landed on water, says Bristow

    Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited yesterday gave an account of how its Sirkorsky S – 76 C ++ chopper was involved in what it termed “water landing”.

    According to its Group Head, External Communications, Julie King, Bristow said the chopper was on a return flight from an offshore platform.

    In a statement, the airline said: “Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited confirms today that one of its helicopters was involved in a water landing near Lagos at about 10.25a.m. on return from an offshore platform. The aircraft, a Sikorsky S-76C++, had departed on a routine crew transfer flight offshore with nine passengers and a crew of two.

    “All persons onboard are accounted for and in the process of being transferred to a nearby installation.”

    The company said it has mobilised resources through its incident response team to recover its ‘ditched’ chopper.

    Its media consultant, Mr Tunji Olugbodi said: “At this time, the full resources of Bristow Group’s incident response team have been mobilised. The company is fully cooperating with authorities responding to the incident.

    “We are incredibly thankful that everyone on board the helicopter is safe and has been accounted for.”

    “Our highest priority is to take care of our crew and clients and their family members and provide them with any assistance needed.”

    “Family members and friends of those on board in Nigeria may call 01-271-6748 for information. Friends and family in the U.S. and Canada may dial toll free +1 (855) 979-7533 or direct toll at +1 (567) 302-7004. Bristow will continue to release additional information at bristowgroup.com as soon as it is confirmed.”

  • Tributes at funeral service of Bristow co-pilot in Calabar

    Tributes at funeral service of Bristow co-pilot in Calabar

    Tributes poured in as the  funeral service for the 26-year-old co-pilot of the ill-fated Bristow Helicopters, which plunged into the Lagos Lagoon on August 12, Peter Kayode Bello, took place at the St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday.

    The deceased was supposed to have been interred at the Hawkins Cemetery in Calabar, yesterday but his body did not arrive from Lagos as was expected.

    The body was released late yesterday after the ceremony in Calabar.

    A vigil mass, presided over by Rev Patrick Cochran on Wednesday evening, drew thousands of sympathisers.

    Delivering his homily at the mass, Rev Cochran called for support and prayers for the family.

    He said life was a gift from God. At the end, we all return to Him as Peter had,” he said.

    Parents of the deceased, Mr and Mrs Peter and Thelma Bello, said: “We thank God for 26 years, for the wonderful times we shared with you. We thank God for your life and all it meant to us.

    We can only live with these memories. We are confident, blessed that God has better plans for us because He is a good God. Lord, help us to know you more.

    All we wish and pray is that your death brings others to know who God is. God is sovereign. We love you, we miss you. Rest in the bosom of the Lord.”

    Bristow described him as a shining star.

    Base manager of Bristow in Lagos, Captain Ayo Stilo Oni, in a tribute, said tBello was one of the few cadets, who felt comfortable with the controls, especially for his experience.

    “He was never late for flights, never had an excuse not to fly…it was his passion.”

    Others who paid tributes,  praised him for his character and upright personality.