News Releases 2011

C-NLOPB Says it will Review the TSB Report and Decide Next Steps

For Immediate Release
February 9, 2011

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has completed its thorough investigation into the cause and contributing factors behind the crash of Cougar Flight 491. The TSB report provides very valuable insight into the reasons for the accident and the factors that played a role in the tragedy. Arising from the investigation are recommendations for Transport Canada, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the helicopter manufacturer.

The report identifies matters that had previously been identified in the Board’s comprehensive Public Inquiry into Offshore Helicopter Safety Phase I, chaired by Commissioner Robert Wells. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) established two Teams in December 2010, a Safety Team and an Aviation Safety Team, to prepare responses to the Inquiry recommendations. Both Teams are led by experts from outside the
C-NLOPB and include representatives from the C-NLOPB, Operators, workers, Cougar and other agencies as required. Progress reports are posted on the C-NLOPB website.

The C-NLOPB, Commissioner Robert Wells and the Teams are now reviewing the report. The Chair and CEO of the C-NLOPB, the Commissioner and the Team leads will meet next week to agree on a way forward. The Teams will integrate the TSB findings into the work they are doing.

While Transport Canada is the agency responsible for regulating helicopter travel, the C-NLOPB is actively making improvements to passenger safety stemming from the lessons learned to date. Safety is a process of on-going improvement and the C-NLOPB is fully committed to learning from this tragedy and taking the necessary steps to improve safety for offshore workers.

Any incident that results in death or injury is regrettable. It is the sincere wish of the Board and its staff that lessons learned from this tragedy for all parties involved will ensure that such an incident never happens again.

Media Contact:
Sean Kelly M.A., APR, FCPRS
Manager of Public Relations
(709) 778-1418
(709) 689-0713 (cell)
skelly@cnlopb.nl.ca


News Releases 2011

DateUpdate
2011, Dec 22Corridor Environmental Assessment for Exploration Licence 1105 Filed with Independent Reviewer
2011, Dec 21C-NLOPB Invites Comments on Draft Scoping Document for Western Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment Update
2011, Nov 16C-NLOPB Releases Results for 2011 Calls for Bids NL11-01, NL11-02 and NL11-03
2011, Nov 2Corridor Environmental Assessment for Exploration Licence 1105 Filed with the C-NLOPB
2011, Nov 1C-NLOPB Conducts Offshore Safety Forum
2011, Oct 18Offshore Incident Reporting by Operators Consistent with other Industries
2011, Oct 14C-NLOPB Comments on S-92 Helicopter Incident in Gulf of Mexico
2011, Oct 52011 Call for Nominations
2011, Sep 21C-NLOPB Comments on Bristow Norway S-92A Grounding
2011, Aug 25C-NLOPB Announces Independent Review of Proposed Drilling on Exploration Licence 1105 (Old Harry)
2011, Aug 19C-NLOPB Releases 2010-11 Annual Report
2011, Aug 18C-NLOPB Responds to Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry Phase II Report
2011, Aug 16C-NLOPB to Conduct Extensive Public Consultations on EL 1105 (Old Harry) Proposal
2011, Aug 15C-NLOPB Releases Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry Report, Phase II
2011, Jul 6C-NLOPB Appoints Miller Ayre as Commissioner for Hebron Development Application Public Review
2011, Jul 4C-NLOPB Sets the Record Straight on AG Audit Request
2011, Jun 13C-NLOPB Recommends a Mediator or Panel Review of Proposed Old Harry Exploration Well in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
2011, Jun 6Drilling and Production Guidelines Updated
2011, Jun 3New Definitions for Reserves and Resources
2011, Jun 3C-NLOPB Releases Further Documentation Relating to the Hebron Development Plan Application
2011, May 16Hebron Benefits Plan Filed with the C-NLOPB
2011, May 12C-NLOPB Announces 2011 Calls for Bids
2011, Apr 21Hebron Development Application Filed With the C-NLOPB
2011, Apr 5C-NLOPB Responds to Criticism about Spill Reporting
2011, Mar 15C-NLOPB says it was not Notified of Board Appointment
2011, Feb 25Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Draft Scoping Document Exploration Drilling Project – EL 1105
2011, Feb 9C-NLOPB Says it will Review the TSB Report and Decide Next Steps