I can’t imagine many of the Bar P crew wanting to rush back just to help out should things go pear shaped. This whole sorry business has been badly managed and will have left a foul taste.
Incredibly the word is now going around that Sonsub are bidding for N.Sea work later in the year, and that the Bar Protector could be involved. If that is the case then Saipem will probably have to start thinking about the re-commissioning process within a few months of putting her into cold lay-up. This is time that would have been better spent going ahead with the scheduled maintenance period, and having all the certification renewed and ready for any work that comes along.
Of course it was never Saipem’s "intention" to replace the Bar P crew with cheaper labour but, no doubt, they will claim that circumstances forced it upon them!
Incidentally, there is now a Bar Protector blog that can be accessed either via the main website or using the link below:
http://www.barprotector.wordpress.com/
I’m sure any messages, memories or job info will be much appreciated.
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