Every year, The Oil and Gas chaplaincy hold the industry’s Annual Service of Remembrance to commemorate the lives lost while working offshore.

The Oil and Gas Chaplaincy, based in Aberdeen, provides pastoral care and support to those who work or have worked in the industry. The Chaplaincy is for everyone regardless of faith or none. Created in the 1980s, originally brought on by the aftermath of the Chinook helicopter disaster in Shetland, however, it wasn’t until the Piper Alpha disaster that efforts to advance the necessary steps to formalise the Chaplaincy, took place.

The Book of Remembrance – Photo from the Oil and Gas Chaplaincy

Names of those who have died, are added to the Book of Remembrance annually. The book provides comfort to the families and loved ones of those who had their lives taken at work, ensuring they will never be forgotten, and their memory will live through these pages. This year, two new names will be added of two who lost their lives in the last twelve months, and one, a colleague who was lost at sea in 1975, will also be added. The book holds names dating back to 2013 following the 25th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, which saw 167 deaths. However, the book was split into two volumes, to allow people to come forward with names from before 2013.

This year, the book will also recognise the names of the 123 lives lost in the Alexander Kielland accident, off Stavanger, Norway, in 1980. The Alexander Kielland accident is widely acknowledged as the worst Norwegian sea disaster since the Second World War. A year after the accident, the cause was acknowledged as a faulty weld. Five years on from the disaster, new regulations were set up that held offshore operators directly responsible for their employee’s safety, as well as introducing new regulations regarding lifeboat release mechanisms. The rig was stationed just off Stavanger and this year, the names of those who lost their lives will be remembered with the dedication of their names in the Book of Remembrance. Families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives, will be attending the service.

The city of Stavanger, in the west of Norway where the Alexander Kielland incident took place, was twinned with Aberdeen in 1990. Both economies rely on fish, oil and tourism. Every year, Stavanger gift a Christmas tree to Aberdeen in honour of their partnership.

The service takes place in the historic Kirk of St Nicholas, which features the Oil Chapel which houses the work of the late, well known and respected, craftsman, Tim Stead.

Furnishings located in the chapel, crafted by Tim Stead.

The beautifully crafted furnishings were commissioned in 1989 by the North Sea Oil Industry and in 1991, the Saltire Society design award for Art, Craft and Architecture, was awarded. A large, stained-glass window, designed by Scottish artist, Shona MacInnes is also located in the Oil Chapel. The window depicts working life and the culture of Aberdeen, representing agriculture and life before North Sea oil and gas. The chapel was created for the 25th anniversary of North Sea Oil, in 1990, however, the location of the Oil Chapel, is over 700 years old.

During the ceremony candles will be lit in memory of the lives lost, and the books will be dedicated with the new names added. The service will be officiated by the chaplain, Reverend Michael Mair, and feature accompaniment by Bon Accord Silver Band, Paul Anderson on fiddle and a loan piper. Music titled, “Minne om ein kjaer son”, “In remembrance of a dear son” composed by Arnjlot Grimstad, in memory of his son, Bjarte who lost his life on the Bourbon Dolphin in 2007, will be played.

The event will see families and those who lost loved ones in attendance, alongside the Norwegian Honorary Consul, the Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, the Lord Provost, the Provost of the Shire, other dignitaries as well as industry representatives.

Scot-ART, the arts charity who secured the Kirk of St Nicholas in July from the Church of Scotland commented, “We are delighted to be able to continue with the long standing traditions, relations and services held annually at the Kirk, and believe the work carried out by the Oil and Gas Chaplaincy is invaluable to those who suffer the loss of a loved one. The Oil and Gas industry has been a massive part in the history of Aberdeen, it is only fitting that we pay our respects to those who lost their lives and to their families. We would like to welcome you all to the service on Saturday.”

The service is an open invitation, and it takes place on November 2nd at 11am in the Kirk of St Nicholas, with tea and coffee served in the Oil Chapel following the service.