Norwegian authorities considered deploying an F-16 aircraft to destroy a barge that had broken from its moorings in the vicinity of rigs in the Valhall field in the North Sea on New Year’s Eve, it has emerged.
In rough seas, Eide Barge 33, owned by Eide Marine Services, broke away from the tug towing it. The giant barge was feared to be heading to Valhall, leading to 235 workers being evacuated by helicopter in the early hours of December 31 from BP Norway’s Valhall field.
It has now emerged that authorities did discuss whether scuttling the barge, which was unmanned, before it became apparent that its path was not likely to hit any offshore infrastructure.