Boka-Polaris: Navigating Rescue and Recovery Operations in Scottish Waters

The Boka-Polaris, a prominent player in maritime support operations, has made headlines with its involvement in both medevac missions and crucial recovery efforts off the coast of Shetland. On the morning of September 27, 2018, the vessel was engaged in a critical medevac operation, facilitating the transportation of a crew member from the 'Bibby Polaris' who required urgent medical attention. The UK Coastguard's SAR helicopter, Rescue 900, was dispatched to assist and successfully transported the patient to the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick after first landing at the Clickimin site.

Additionally, the 'Boka-Polaris' was pivotal in the aftermath of the tragic crash of a Super Puma helicopter off Sumburgh Head. On August 26, investigators embarked aboard the 'Boka-Polaris' to assist in the search for the helicopter's black box and vital wreckage that had prompted a significant rescue operation. The recovery teams, using specialized sonar equipment, combed the seabed in hopes of retrieving this crucial evidence to determine the cause of the incident that led to the unfortunate loss of four oil workers.

Following an extensive search, the wreckage was finally scheduled to be unloaded from the 'Boka-Polaris' at Lerwick Harbour on August 29, where vital information could be gathered to piece together one of the industry’s most tragic recent events. The continuous efforts of the 'Boka-Polaris' underscore the vessel’s critical role in maritime operations, showcasing both its capacity for emergency response and its commitment to the recovery of vital information in the wake of maritime disasters.