FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEA GEM DISASTER

That this House notes that 27 December 2015 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Sea Gem disaster in which 13 workers were tragically killed and five injured when the Sea Gem drilling rig collapsed and tipped over, throwing workers into the icy waters of the West Sole oil field, some 42 miles off the mouth of the River Humber; further notes the many health and safety improvements which have occurred since then; commends the work of health and safety professionals; and expresses concern about the considerable challenges still facing the UK offshore industry, including ageing plant, asset integrity and the need for safety-critical maintenance to be prioritised.