Bristow Puma Ditches In Nigeria
NOTICE: I’ve had to remove the video associated with this incident. This was done at the request of the company associated with the person who took the video. Unfortunate because I believe the video showed that working for them was a positive thing – well executed procedures combined with what appeared to be well maintained and new equipment isn’t something they should be afraid to show. For the over 10,000 that saw it, you are now the lucky ones 
If the company changes their mind, and I hope they do, I’ll put it back up.
A Puma helicopter ditched into the sea off the coast of Nigeria today. It was only a few hundred meters from its destination, the seismic research vessel, Kondor Explorer. There were 18 people on board including the two pilots. The helicopter remained afloat and all 18 were picked up by rescue boats with no reports of any significant injuries. The incident was reported by SeaBird Exploration which owns the Kondor Explorer.
Almost made it.
Bristow owned Puma being recovered by the ROV Support Vessel "Siem Marlin" - source: vtolblog reader
Update: It could be an SA332L Super Puma owned by Bristow, but I’m still waiting on confirmation of that. If anyone knows and wants to share more info, tips@vtolblog.com.
Update 2: A vtolblog reader sent pictures taken by a contact on the Siem Marlin. It is indeed one of the Bristow birds.
Update 3: I’ve received video footage taken by a passenger on the helicopter right after ditching. The shutdown wasn’t even complete when he started filming. Incredible video and once again I must thank my readers for their great tips! Andrey and rovcallum, I really appreciate it.
Tags: aerospatiale, crash, puma, sa330
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Bristows Puma 5N-BKJ. Looks like it had a soft landing. Pulled onboard the ROV Vessel “Siem Marlin” earlier today.
Correction on my last: Recovered from the sea yesterday 11th Dec.
[...] research vessel. No one was hurt and the helicopter has been recovered. For some pictures click here. Leave a [...]
Are they equipped with a flotation device ?
The orange and yellow pods attached to the sides are pop-out flotation devices.
ALL OUR LUGGAGE – ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES COMPLETELY WERE TERMINATED…. AND ALMOST ALL DOCUMENTS AND PASSPORTS !
Glad to see all survived – but there’s always someone who instead of assisting – decides that he needs a home-video.
Witness all the amateur footage from the tsunami years ago.
YOU HAVEN’T BEEN IN HELICOPTER CRASH AND FROM 18 PERSONS THE ONE WASN’T PANIC AND KEPT SITUATION UNDER CONTROL AND MADE VIDEO ABOUT HOW PEOPLE ARE SURVING AT SEA AFTER HELICRASH ! AND ALL THANKED FOR THIS VIDEO BECAUSE 99% NOT SURVIVE IN THIS CASE……
Very quick thinking to video the incident. Well done.
Well done all of the crew on a controlled exit. This looks very good for all.