North Sea drilling platform Stena Spey loses anchors amid severe weather during Storm Babet

Coastguard helicopters have been sent to assist a North Sea drilling platform which lost several anchors in severe weather during Storm Babet.

Stena Drilling said four of the eight anchors detached themselves from Stena Spey, 146 miles east of Aberdeen, due to the “severe weather”.

The company confirmed that all 89 personnel are accounted for on the rig.

It added that the well remains secure and the rig is stable.

In an update on Saturday night, Stena Drilling said that 45 non-essential personnel had been safely transferred from the rig.

A HM Coastguard spokesperson said it had sent two of its helicopters to assist the platform facing strong waves in the North Sea.

A response number has been set up for concerned relatives on 01224 455199.

Stena Drilling said the incident involving its semi-sub drilling started at around 6.45am on Saturday morning.

The Esvagt Cappa (ERRV emergency response rescue vessel) is on standby to provide support.

In a statement the company said: “Emergency response procedures have been initiated and relevant authorities are being advised.

“All support services are being co-ordinated through the shore-based incident response team and every possible effort is being made to safeguard risk to personnel at the scene and resolve the situation.”