Second Bond helicopter ditches in North Sea
Search and rescue teams have launched an operation off the coast of Scotland after a helicopter with ditched in the North Sea.
While the type has not been confirmed, Aberdeen Coast Guard has identified the operator as Bond. It says it understands there are 16 on board.
The Coast Guard says it received notification just before 14:00 that a helicopter had ditched 35mi (56km) off the coast of Crimond, between Fraserburgh and Peterhead.
Two Royal Air Force rescue helicopters have been scrambled while a British Aerospace Nimrod maritime patrol jet has been diverted to assist. Lifeboats have also been dispatched.
"A variety of vessels have immediately responded and the nearest vessel - the 'Normand Aurora' - has launched its fast rescue craft to the scene," says the Coast Guard.
Today's incident comes just six weeks after a Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma, also operated by Bond, ditched near an oil platform on 18 February. All 18 occupants were rescued.
