© DC Thomson A statue commemorating the lives of North Sea divers who lost their lives at sea has been unveiled at Pocra Quay in Aberdeen.
Members of the North Sea diving community and their families attended an unveiling of the statue by sculptor Alan Herriot.
The Scottish sculptor is known for statues of King Robert the Bruce outside Marischal College and Aberdeen football legend Denis Law outside Provost Skene’s House.
A message etched into the podium on which the statue stands reads: “Dedicated to all divers who lost their lives in the North Sea Offshore Energy Industry”.
It is estimated that close to 100 divers have lost their lives since the beginning of the oil and gas industry in the North Sea in the 1970s.
International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) diving manager Bill Chilton called the statue a “true work of art” and a “constant reminder that diving regulations and guidance are written in blood”.
Port of Aberdeen chief commercial officer Roddy James wrote on social media that he felt a “deep stillness” in the crowd as they gathered to honour the lives of North Sea commercial divers, “who gave everything in the name of industry, exploration, and duty”.
“The memorial itself is striking: a life-size bronze diver anchored by a granite base that speaks of strength and endurance,” James wrote.
© DC Thomson“But it wasn’t just the statue that moved me—it was the stories behind the names, and the quiet pride etched into the faces of families, colleagues, and old friends.”
“The sculpture is not just a tribute – it’s a promise that those lives will never be forgotten.”
James said he left the ceremony for the statue unveiling “with a full heart”.
“This memorial is more than a statue; it’s a long-overdue act of remembrance,” he said.
“And for those who lived and worked in the depths, it finally brings their stories back into the light.”
North Sea divers memorial
The memorial was commissioned in 2023 by the North Sea Divers Memorial charity, with the campaign to erect the statue led by former saturation divers Nick McClellan and James McLean.
Both McClellan and McLean told Energy Voice at the time that they had lost friends in the industry through their careers.
“They were pioneers in an industry breaking new ground very fast,” said McLean, “health and safety then wasn’t as developed as it is now, and people ended up giving their lives.
© DC Thomson“I think it is important for people to have a memorial like that where they can go and reflect and remember those individuals: loved ones, husbands, brothers, fathers.
“The offshore North Sea wouldn’t have happened without all sorts of people – helicopter pilots, riggers, cooks – but particularly divers who played an important role in being able to take advantage of the resources that we’ve had over the last five decades.”
McLean said many members of the Aberdeen and North Sea diving community contributed to creating the memorial.
“There were many individual and corporate donors, with KD Marine in particular supporting the project massively,” he said.
“It is the case the charity remain in fundraising mode to ensure the statue is maintained and insured throughout its life.”
