North Sea, trial rig transfers by boat instead of helicopters
 

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Perenco UK Ltd today confirmed they are undertaking a one month trial period for its workers by using a DP Gezina vessel instead of helicopters in a bid to improve safety and environmental efficiency.

North Sea oil firm trial rig transfers by boat instead of helicopters

And, apparently, they weren't too impressed when one of the boats managed to bump into something before it had even left it's harbour!

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Too bad ...
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What operator is currently supplying helicopter transfers?

Perhaps their workers cannot slim down before the new regulations take place.

Only a matter of time, with winter coming, before they have a boat full of sea-sick techs unable to do anything but feel ill!

Sister ship was used on a SNS offshore wind farm recently without too much success.

Think it will be a month's trial only!

If this was the military, I would have said it was typical of the senior officers good ideas club - ignore the fact that it has been tried before (and failed) and do it again because the last lot that tried it clearly weren't up to it!

with a 2.5 metre Hs limit ...........

Oh please.... :ugh::ugh:

Rig Transfer
 

I worked on a rig for a while but in the gulf of Thailand .On the outward journey I went by ship ,very comfortable seating ,tv etc only when we got there transfer was by a device the name I forget that was basically a round platform (3mtr)with netting above attached to a crane on the rig,you put your bag on the inside of the net and hang on to the outside and whoosh!!The crane lifts you up to the deck of the rig 60/70 feet up!!
Now how will they transfer in the North sea with a gale or the big waves usually seen?

oldpax, I believe you're talking about a Billy Pugh net.

Don't let 'em fool you (not that anyone's fooled). Ship transfers are cheaper, but take 10x as long, minimum, and the pax seldom arrive in as good a condition. Ships will always be needed for moving of heavy bulky cargo to / fro, but people? Give me a helicopter, thanks.

Billy Pugh net
 

Thanks that's the thing!Imaginr that wih the deck going up and down a few feet!

I notice we are immediately defensive and dismissive - but it remains a signal from the customer that we are not best trusted by them - perception of unserviceabilities, ditchings, accidents, difficulties to egress ..... why wouldn't they wish to seek alternatives / have plan B's?

Boat transfers happen occasionally anyway. The most unsafe experience I have had offshore was definitely during a boat transfer. Not a fan.

While the Billy Pugh remains in service for emergency use, most transfers these days use a buoyant, rigid capsule with 3 or 9 seats, into which a passengers is strapped, his kit being transferred in a separate container. Slow it may be, but risk is managed ALARP.

Possible for crew change , but you still need a heli to get to a NUI .......

The issue isn't really the boat, it's of a reasonable size (70m) and has pretty much everything it needs. The intention isn't for long trips. Will be <6 hrs mostly.
The real question is how safe are the Billy Pugh transfers, I have done many and haven't had an issue (you are supposed to connect the lanyard to your PFD although this is often omitted in briefs). But, is definitely a risk of injury during the landing of the basket, particularly when there is movement on the deck of the ship. I suspect the limits if the Billy Pugh are less then helicopter transfers. Cost difference I can't imagine will be vastly different overall. In certain countries the cost of seafarers is so rapidly exceeding helicopter crew that it's vastly cheaper to use a helicopter even with all other costs involved (example pilot embarkation in Australia).

good idea to try it when the weather is fine.:= Having spoken to offshore workers who were on a trial in the past, they hated it. Sea sick. couldnt man-up in a heavy swell, long time to travel back and forth to shore and loss of their time -off. They werent impressed at all.


They still use basket transfers in Gulf of Thailand for inter field movements by boat. But because the rigs are 100+ miles offshore then its a 6+ hour journey by boat. Probably one of the reasons helicopters are busier than ever in Gulf of Thailand.

All transfers in China are done by helicopter even in the relatively benign East China Sea. There are occasions where an emergency requirement will call for an inter field basket transfer. The only time they have a rig to shore by boat is if during a typhoon evacuation there are more people than the helicopters can cope with.
They will always go back to the rig by helicopter.

Once you get a bit of a gale and the heave builds up past two metres they will forget the whole thing. It's some beancounter trying to make a name for himself.

transfer to land
 

When I left the rig I left by helicopter.Its 143 miles to U-Tapao and I cannot recall wearing a lifejacket only ear defenders!Long way to travel over water?

140 miles is normal in Gulf of Thailand. At least they let the pax wear life jackets now, but still no air con. :)

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