Offshore Platform PBN/RNP

[C.C.C.]

Originally Posted by FlightPathOBN

There are many instances on approach to the rig, where, especially at night, the crew becomes disoriented during the offsets

Originally Posted by AAIB G-REDU

At a range of approximately 13 nm, the commander could also see the platform and the crew agreed to descend to 500 ft asl and conduct a visual approach using the weather radar to assist with range information.

So this crew stopped using the ARA technique at approx 13nms, and not the offset point as you are infering. As a direct result of this accident there have been significant changes to our SOPs for Night/Poor Visibility Operations to Offshore Installations. During this training it was commented that no-one could recall any CFIT incidents/accidents following the visual segment at the end of an offset night ARA on the North Sea.

I agree with 212man about obstacles. The minimum safe operating altitude for poor visibility (not IMC) offshore operations in Nigeria was raised after a Bell 212 got a bit close to a 3-legged jack-up rig (possibly Trident IX with 518' legs) which had its legs extended whilst under tow in Harmattan and it's movement had not been previously notified to the crew.