LONDON — A helicopter carrying 18 people went down near an oil field in the North Sea today, officials said. All aboard were successfully rescued.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Mark Clark said the Super Puma helicopter ditched as it approached a BP-operated oil field 120 miles east of the Scottish city of Aberdeen. Coast guard spokesman Fred Caygill said the passengers and crew managed to make it out of the helicopter onto two inflatable life rafts.

"We're very pleased that all 18 have been rescued," Caygill said, adding that there were no serious injuries.

The coast guard said the stricken helicopter was owned by Bond Offshore Helicopters, which provides air transport for energy installations in the North Sea.

By The Associated Press