Latest from Sky News @
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260388,00.html"Rescue Drama In North Sea
Updated: 21:53, Thursday April 12, 2007
A major rescue operation is under way after an oil rig support vessel capsized 75 miles off the coast of Shetland with 15 people on board.
Ten have been recovered from the icy waters - five crewman are still missing, according to the latest reports.
It is thought they may be trapped inside the hull of the upturned boat, the Norwegian anchor tug Bourbon Dolphin.
The vessel - which is less than a year old - capsized at 5.20pm as it was handling an anchor from the Transocean Rather oil platform.
Eight of the 15 people on board were rescued soon after and another two were later winched to safety by a helicopter.
A spokesman for the tug's owners, Bourbon Offshore, said: "The vessel had a problem and capsized. The crew are fully Norwegian.
"People have been rescued but there are still some people missing and there is a rescue operation under way."
RAF spokesman Michael Mulford told Sky News six divers were being flown to the rig from RAF Kinloss in Scotland.
Mark Clark of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was imperative divers get to the area as quickly as possible.
He said: "We have got the Subsea Viking, a support vessel designed for diving operations, en route to the scene and we are trying to muster divers.
"The Viking has an ROV (remotely-operated vehicle) on it so we can get under the hull but obviously it is getting dark now and that is going to hamper our operation.
"We cannot see anyone therefore we can only assume they are under the hull.
"If people are under the hull then we don`t know how much air they have or whether they have managed to struggle into their survival suits.
"The water is around five degrees at the moment," he added.
A coastguard helicopter and a North Sea Rescue helicopter were scrambled to the scene and an RAF Nimrod is providing overhead cover.
Three vessels, Olympic Hercules, Viking Victory and Highland Valour are also assisting with the search
Conditions in the North Sea tonight were said to be good - clear and calm."
Lets hope tomorrow brings better news.
Regards
Steve Ellwood