Cougar Helicopters GM speaks of 'devastating' day

A top Cougar Helicoptersofficialspoke Tuesday tofamily members of people who died in a N.L. chopper crash last year.

"The events of that day changed my life forever," said Cougar Helicopters general manager Rick Burt, atan offshore helicopter safety inquiryin St. John's ."I can only imagine what family and friends have gone through, and I'd like to offer my condolences. It was a devastating day for Cougar."

Cougarowned and operated the Sikorsky S-92A helicopter thatcrashed into the ocean 55 kilometres east of St. John's on March 12, killing 17.

Burt also talked about the testimony that the sole survivor of the crash, Robert Decker, gave at the inquiry last November.

"I found Mr. Decker's testimony profoundly moving. I think it took amazing courage for him to come here and speak. I'd like to thank him for that," said Burt. "This process is essential."

Cougar Helicopters officials are scheduled to testify until Friday.

The company is contracted by oil companies to ferry offshore workers to oil production platforms east of the province.

Cougaris also contracted by oil companies to provide St. John's-based search and rescue work.

Cougar reconfigures its Sikorsky S-92A helicopters to do searches when they get an emergency call. The company doesn't have a helicopter dedicated solely to search and rescue work, and cannot perform such operations after dark.

Cougar'sNewfoundland base manager, Hank Williams, told the inquiry Tuesday morning that a Sikorsky S61 helicopterarrived at its St. John's facility in January.

Williams said it could be used for search and rescue.

"It was brought here on spec, if an oil company would like to use it," said Williams. "It is fully fitted for search and rescue service but it is not on a long-term contract as we speak."

Thehelicopterhad beenstationed in Victoria, where Cougar's parent company VIH Aviation is located.

Cougar official Richard Banksis also at the inquiry Tuesday.

The inquiry, led by retired Supreme Court judge Robert Wells, was established following the crash to find ways to improve safety for offshore workers.