Esso sends ships and helicopters to help evacuate bushfire victims

Energy company sends resources after request from emergency services for operational support.

Helicopters that would usually transport workers between the gas plant in Gippsland & the offshore platforms are being used to assist during the bushfires. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Oil and gas company Esso Australia has confirmed it is providing two offshore support vessels and making two helicopters available to help people stranded by the East Gippsland bushfires, following a request from emergency services.

Esso spokesman Travis Parnaby confirmed the company had been asked by emergency services to provide operational support, and had sent Norwegian-flagged vessel the Far Saracen to Mallacoota, where it is currently docked off Bastion Point.

“We are preparing a second vessel, the Far Senator, to be available to mobilise to Mallacoota in the coming days,” Mr Parnaby said.

“Two of Esso’s fleet of helicopters are also being made available to evacuate impacted community members from Mallacoota, as well as assist emergency services personnel in getting to those impacted.

People on a boat just offshore taking shelter from the bushfires hitting the area around Mallacoota. Picture: AFP / Courtesy of Ida Dempsey

“Esso has been a long time supporter of our local emergency services and we will do whatever we can to assist in times of emergency and natural disaster.”

Mr Parnaby said Esso, which operates offshore gas wells in Bass Strait and a gas plant at Longford would continue to work with emergency services to explore every possible way to help affected communities as an “active member” of the Gippsland community.