Memorial service in Aberdeen

The British has a Oil & Gas Chaplaincy memorial book listing the names of workers who have lost their lives on the UK Continental Shelf. This book is usually kept in the Oil Chapel at The Kirk of St Nicholas, on Union Street in Aberdeen. Each year, a memorial ceremony is held in this church to honor the workers who passed away during the previous year. This tradition began following the Piper Alpha disaster, which is considered the largest accident in the UK oil industry.

During the Alexander L. Kielland disaster, which occurred a few years earlier, many British citizens were also involved. Of the 123 who died, 30 were British. In 2024, it was decided that the names of all 123 who lost their lives in the disaster should be included in the memorial book. This was marked by a ceremony on November 2nd at St. Nicholas Church, where Gudny Hansen, who lost her father in the disaster, lit a candle on behalf of all the relatives and bereaved. Watch the entire ceremony here.

Families and others connected to the Kielland disaster also attended a separate memorial service led by Chaplain Michael Mair, where the names of all those who died in the disaster were read aloud. It was a moving and dignified day for everyone involved.

The evening before, a social gathering was held at the Seamen’s Church, where participants received information, shared experiences, and enjoyed waffles together.