The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has said the search for a man who went missing from a North Sea rig had been “scaled back”.
An MCA spokeswoman said a helicopter called out from Sumburgh to help with the search had returned to base.
But she said the other vessels which were mobilised earlier were still keeping an “active watch”.
At around 9.20pm yesterday, it was reported that a 49 year-old man working on the Noble Lloyd Noble installation couldn’t be found on board.
The rig is in the Mariner Field, about 90 miles east of Shetland.
All operations were “stood down” on the rig, which is being operated by Noble Drilling on behalf of Statoil.
Police Scotland was called after initial searches of the installation.
An extensive search of the rig and the water surrounding it was then carried out, led by the MCA.
Inspector Steve McEwan said the search involved the use of a search and rescue helicopter, two standby vessels and a platform supply vessel.
Mr McEwan said: “We are working closely with the companies involved and next of kin to keep them informed of any developments.”
A team of officers has flown to the rig to carry out inquiries.
A spokeswoman for Statoil said the Norwegian energy firm had assisted with the search.
She said earlier today: “We have mobilised our emergency response organisation to support Noble, and the authorities and agencies involved in the response effort.”
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