In 2005, commissioning tests were being carried out on a fibreglass boat when it suffered a major 20cm collapse of the canopy. The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority felt the matter should be investigated thoroughly. It was later discovered that the deflection was the result of the poor quality of the vessel and having no cross frames. However, it was clear that there should be specific legislation for Freefall lifeboat design and testing procedures. This then led the classification society DNV to investigate the matter, focusing on structural safety, human safety and the ability of the vessel to make positive headway.


This test failure also led Statoil to examine its requirements for the future and it turned to Verhoef, which ultimately resulted in the company’s first ever Framework Agreement. The contract is initially for five years and with the possibility of two, three-year extensions. Statoil wanted a good lifeboat design following DNV’s recommendations but they insisted any new design had to meet stringent requirements and be thoroughly tested and everything fully documented. Any research and testing procedures could only be car- ried out by companies approved by Statoil.


Statoil Framework Agreement And MARIN was one such approved company. “Statoil wanted companies it could trust to


8 report


do the tests, reliable companies that could answer all the questions. MARIN has helped us document and completely validate the Freefall lifeboat and assisted us obtain the necessary DNV Statement of Compliance.”


Initially, MARIN carried out model tests at Verhoef’s own test basin ‘Wind-bad’. At the basin, which is on site, it is possible to generate wind of up to 32m per second (wind force 12). In addition, model tests in waves were carried out by MARIN. Statoil also attended all of the model and full-scale tests so the MARIN team, Verhoef and Statoil worked very closely together. “Business all comes down to trust. If there is no trust, you cannot do any business. Statoil wanted companies it could trust and we did too.”


The model tests were followed by full-scale tests. Drop tests took place in the port of Amsterdam where Verhoef has its own dedicated test-tower. MARIN’s measuring equipment was placed inside the lifeboats and drop tests were carried out at various heights from 32 m to a staggering 40 m with human dummies inside the vessel.


State-of-the-art equipment enabled MARIN to examine the acceleration forces as well as how the vessel performed in terms of being able to make positive headway. “This was incredible, we could measure the


G-forces upon entry in the water and the headway metre by metre.” The tests resulted in impressive results, where the lifeboat was 55 m away in 5 seconds, 130 m away in 20 seconds and 195 m away in 45 seconds – and all without propulsion.


MARIN’s measurements - simultaneously measuring G-forces, distance and time – are the first time this has been done and this impressed the oil industry, he emphasises.


Martin comments: “MARIN has allowed this excellent performance to be properly documented. Having these measurements completely validates our boats and enables us to obtain all the proper certification.”


Like his father before him, Martin stresses that ultimately it is all about safety. “This is really the best development ever for human safety at sea – to get safely away from a ship or platform in 195 m in 45 seconds – without depending on the safety of winch- es and wires.”


The company’s contribution to saving lives has been recognised by one of the highest honours in the Netherlands, when it was awarded the Gold de Ruyter Medal, which is awarded from the Dutch government and by Royal Decree.


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