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Mandy73  
#1 Posted : 26 June 2012 12:01:27(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Mandy73

I would like to ask what are the safety requirements when personnel are transported by air and by sea respectively? This is all about going to offshore drilling rig and production?
Blest31834  
#2 Posted : 26 June 2012 12:53:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Blest31834

I am not an offshore specialist, but from my aviation experience I would suggest that you have a look at the HSE pages for: Offshore Oil and Gas - http://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/index.htm The resources section and information sheets http://www.hse.gov.uk/of.../infosheets/is_index.htm carry information about helicopter transport. INDG219 How offshore helicopter travel is regulated http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg219.pdf may also be on use. In addition, the other source of information is the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) CAP 437: Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas http://www.caa.co.uk/app...p;mode=detail&id=523 For transportation by sea, I am sure one of the other forum users will be able to point you beyond the HSE pages. Brgds Rod
imwaldra  
#3 Posted : 26 June 2012 15:21:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
imwaldra

A key hazard if you are transported by sea is getting access to the drilling rig. In UK waters, it will be well offshore and not designed for open-sea access - so you have either to do a short helicopter transfer, or be lifted on by crane. In other climates (shallower, warmer, calmer waters) boat transfer of personnel may be reasonably safe, but it's judged to be too unsafe in UK waters, except in unusual circumstances. (I've done it once, some years ago, when leaving a small installation after construction was completed). For oil & gas activities almost everywhere, helicopter transport is the normal system, though lifeboats are provided for emergency evacuation (it's much easier to get off than to get back on!). For some construction activities, personnel can live an a boat or semi-sub 'flotel' and access their workplace via a gangway, with arrangements to close/lift this in extreme weather. I'm not so familiar with all current practices for offshore wind turbines - at present these are mostly near shore and boat access is possible in normal weather. But as they move into deeper water it's become clear that won't work and there's lots of effort on innovative methods to provide safe access between a moving boat and the fixed turbine column. So the 'safety requirements' you ask about are pretty complex. You need a competent transport contractor plus design of the interface (gangway or helideck) to an agreed standard, plus well trained and suitably kitted personnel to do the transfer, plus rescue plans and procedures in case of an emergency. That's one reason why in UK and many other offshore sectors everyone going offshore needs to meet defined medical standards and to complete an approval basic offshore survival and emergency training course. Hope this helps. If you want to know more about helicopter safety, IOSH Offshore Group had a useful meeting last week and the Powerpoint presentation is available at http://www.iosh.co.uk/gr...icles/presentations.aspx .
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