Someone I know ditched a Twin Comanche about 10 years ago (no they didn’t run out of fuel – there was still fuel in the tanks when the AAIB looked at it month later after it had been pulled up from the bottom, the reason it was done was it had gone down near some of Centrica’s interconnects between gas rigs and they needed it removed – Centrica sent my friend a bill for £30K for sending divers etc. down, and their insurance was VERY reluctant to pay out despite this clearly coming under something liability insurance should pay, but did in the end, leaving them on the hook for this £30K bill for an uncomfortably long period).
But back to the ditching – even before they ditched, a gas rig helicopter was following them. They didn’t even get into the liferaft – the rescue helicopter got to them before they could even board it. No injuries, just a wet, unpleasant landing.
So gas/oil rigs are probably good because they have frequent helicopter ops, and one may hear your distress call.
