Watch: offshore workers show their appreciation for NHS

Workers on the Bruce platform in the North Sea have posted a video of themselves applauding the work of NHS staff.

Offshore oil and gas workers have been filmed ‘clapping for carers’, joining with tens of thousands of people around the country last night.

Staff on the Bruce platform - more than 200 miles off the Aberdeen coast - were broadcast applauding from the decks of the facility at 8pm, while others held up signs of appreciation from the platform’s helipad.

Offshore Installation Manager, John Redpath, said the decision to take part in the event was a group one.

Offshore workers on the Bruce platform in the North Sea show their appreciation.

“The initial conversation actually happened while I was speaking to my wife,” he said.

“Then I spoke to the team, and the consensus was that we should do something.

“Lots of colleagues here have relations and partners who work in the NHS, and they were very enthusiastic to show their support,” he explained.

More than half of the 85 crew members took part in the display, while others continued to man the facility, and the night shift team rested.

John Redpath, Offshore Installations Manager on the Bruce platform.

But the rig has not been sheltered from the disruption of coronavirus.

Workers on the Serica Energy-owned platform have been reduced to help with social distancing, and activity there has been limited to “safety critical” - only work that keeps the facility running.

“Social distancing is hard”, John says, “but we’re doing our best.

“There’s heightened concerns, of course, but morale is still high.

“We have wifi here, so everyone can still FaceTime their loved ones and keep in touch.”

He thinks the coronavirus crisis has “increased the focus” on the rig.

“The team knows that what we are doing here is critical.”

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