Business & Finance

Hundreds of North Sea workers remain above new helicopter weight limit ahead of November deadline

An estimated 500 to 800 personnel still exceed the 124.7kg threshold required for offshore flights and emergency winch rescues.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 09:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

A mandatory 124.7kg (19.5st) weight limit for North Sea offshore helicopter travel takes effect on 1 November.
Industry body Offshore Energies UK estimates that between 500 and 800 workers still exceed the threshold, down from more than 2,200.
The regulation stems from Maritime and Coastguard Agency warnings regarding maximum safe capacities for helicopter rescue winches.
Workers who remain over the limit will be barred from flights to offshore installations, raising the prospect of role reassignments or job losses.

Starting 1 November, North Sea offshore personnel must not exceed 124.7kg (19.5st) in seasonal clothing and footwear to be permitted on helicopter flights.[BBC News]
The rule was introduced following warnings from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that helicopter rescue winches cannot safely hoist heavier individuals during an emergency.[BBC News]
The maximum 249kg winch load standard accounts for a passenger's clothed weight, an average 90.3kg rescue worker, a 29kg stretcher, and 5kg of equipment.[BBC News]
Offshore Energies UK reports that approximately 3.4% of offshore workers exceed 124kg based on records collected from April to August, down from an estimated 4.7% in 2022.[BBC News]
Offshore Energies UK confirmed that employees who arrive at heliports weighing more than the limit on or after 1 November will not be permitted to travel to offshore installations.[BBC News]

It remains uncertain how many employees unable to meet the weight threshold will be reassigned to onshore roles versus facing eventual employment termination.[BBC News]