Helicopters leave offshore oil workers wary

Almost 40 per cent of the people working in the offshore oil industry east of Newfoundland would prefer not to use helicopters to go to work, a new survey has found.

The report shows that more than a year after the Cougar 491 crash, which killed 17 people, there are still many people who would prefer to be taken to platforms by boat, rather than by helicopter.

A Sikorsky S-92A helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in March 2009 after a dramatic loss of oil pressure in its gearbox. Only one person on board survived the crash.

An external consultant's report prepared for the ongoing Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry shows significant concerns in several areas, particularly with survival suits and helicopter maintenance.

Asked if they would prefer to travel to their platform or rig by an alternate means of transportation (primarily by boat), 37 per cent said yes. An additional 21 per cent said they were undecided.

As well, the report by Australian consulting firm Aerosafe Risk Management found that 28 per cent of respondents did not feel safe.

'A real lack of confidence' about helicopters

Randell Earle, a St. John's lawyer who has represented unionized workers at the inquiry, told CBC News that the findings are significant.

"Ever since the crash of the Cougar helicopter, there's a real lack of confidence out there amongst many, many people," Earle said in an interview.

The survey noted, however, that 65 per cent of respondents have noticed that safety practices on helicopters have improved since the Cougar crash.

Retired justice Robert Wells is leading the inquiry, which will resume testimony this summer. While its work is still ongoing, the inquiry has already ordered some changes in how helicopters are used to transport workers.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is still conducting an investigation into the crash.