Today, on the 35th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) pays tribute to the 165 offshore oil and gas workers and two seafarers who lost their lives in the North Sea catastrophe. The incident prompted the Cullen Inquiry, which led to the implementation of safety regulations in the offshore industry. The disaster was primarily caused by an inadequate permit to work system, resulting in a series of explosions and a massive fireball that engulfed the platform. The legacy of Piper Alpha includes safety improvements and the establishment of safety representatives and committees elected by offshore workers.

To honor the victims, North Sea oil platforms fell silent, and a memorial service was held at Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen. The service involved reading the names of the 167 men lost, observing a minute of silence, and laying wreaths amid the playing of a Piper's lament. The event provided an opportunity for families to remember their loved ones and for the industry to reinforce the importance of safety procedures and lessons learned from the tragedy.

Reflecting on the anniversary, Reverend Gordon Craig, an oil and gas chaplain, emphasized the magnitude of the loss and the need for communities to remember the tragedy. The service aimed to ensure that the younger generation in the industry understands the potential consequences of safety lapses. Harbour Energy, the largest operator in the North Sea, participated in the minute of silence and expressed its commitment to upholding the safety culture established after Piper Alpha.

The industry has also sought to maintain the memory of the disaster through various initiatives. Steve Rae, head of Step Change in Safety and a survivor of the incident, urged revisiting a documentary titled "Remembering Piper: The night that changed our world." The film serves as a powerful reminder of the events that unfolded that fateful night. Additionally, OPITO, a skills body in the offshore energy sector, emphasized the importance of training and competency in maintaining safety standards. The sector aims to recruit 100,000 individuals in the next decade to achieve net-zero goals while keeping the lessons from Piper Alpha at the forefront.

Mark Wilson, HSE director at Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), stressed the ongoing need to manage safety threats and ensure the new generation recognizes the risks inherent in the industry. He highlighted the importance of plant, process, and people-oriented approaches to safeguarding offshore operations.

As the industry commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, it serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety to protect the lives of offshore workers. The tragic event continues to shape the safety culture in the sector, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and improvement to prevent such disasters from happening again.