SUBSEA: DIVING & UNDERWATER SERVICES ON THE RIGHT COURSE
Reliable and robust methods of positioning are crucial for safe vessel operations in an offshore environment. Increasingly, vessels are being fitted with Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems, which vary in complexity depending on each vessel’s classification. Over the past 30 years, the acceptance and growing use of DP has resulted in improved DP technology across the offshore oil and gas industries. DP is utilised to automatically maintain a vessel’s position and heading by using its thrusters via an integration of computer controlled systems and functions.
Recent industry reports suggest that DP incidents are on the increase. In an attempt to prevent DP incidents and enhance the competence of its crews, Helix Energy Solutions sought Kongsberg Maritime Ltd, the UK arm of global marine technology company Kongsberg Maritime, to deliver a tailored DP emergency scenario training course to 11 of its employees at its training centre in Aberdeen.
Kongsberg Maritime Ltd has 30 years’ experience in delivering training courses to the offshore and maritime industry. Having increased the number of courses delivered by 36% (2013-2014), the company has become the standard for industry excellence in the UK and the training provider of choice for Helix.
The bespoke course offered practical emergency response training using Helix company procedures, as well as focusing on operations carried out by Helix’s vessel, Well Enhancer. By demonstrating a number of scenarios and stress testing Critical Activity Mode of Operation (CAMO) along with the Task Appropriate Mode (TAM), it was clear that learning how the DP system responds to specific induced failures would be beneficial. On that basis, Helix took the decision to train its entire crew.
The course also included a talk from a leading industry expert from DNV GL who outlined the major changes that are currently underway in the DP community.
Course participants included the DP operational crew from Helix’s vessel, Seawell, which is engaged in diving
p28 |
www.sosmagazine.biz | January 2016
Above: Helix delegates in Kongsberg’s training simulator, K-Sim. K-Si.
operations in the North Sea. The most complex and dangerous operation a Diving Support Vessel (DSV) can undertake is working within an anchor pattern of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), therefore a sound understanding of DP and related operational factors is crucial, to mitigate potential incidents.
The course consisted of one day familiarisation to the KONGSBERG K-Pos DP system, followed by three days of practical scenario training, including a review of significant industry DP related incidents, which resulted in the Dynamic Positioning Officer (DPO) taking manual control of the vessel.
The importance of human factors, which often influence a person’s decision making abilities during an incident, were acknowledged throughout the course. After significant support and learning, delegates were placed into KONGSBERG’s training simulator, K-Sim, which provides the most realistic on-shore training environment possible. The simulator has been designed to replicate the bridge of a
ship, with large computer screens projecting 3D imagery of the marine environment, complete with production platforms and support vessels.
By placing delegates in specific environmental conditions and creating realistic DP scenarios, including close proximity emergency station keeping and emergency manoeuvring, the training instructor is able to assess participant responses.
This method of coaching encompasses human factors in a way which cannot be taught in a classroom-based environment alone. The K-Sim is designed to support operations, test procedures, increase competence and minimise errors, therefore reducing the amount - and ultimately the cost - of incidents during DP operations.
Utilising its position as part of the leading manufacturer of DP technology, Kongsberg Maritime Ltd’s training centre leaves delegates with an appreciation as to how their individual responses impact on others and operations in times of emergency.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52