APPLICATION REPORT | SUBSEA LIFTING
cleaner for the environment. Frequently also the hoists and winches were the only equipment using compressed air, so that demanded a compressor, expensive to buy and needing time to maintain, just to run them, and a bulky air-pipe from compressor to winches as well, taking up unnecessary effort in laying it and space when it is laid. So for financial reasons they want to get rid of that extra equipment. It saves maintenance money and capital money, and reduces emissions as well, so it is a double or triple win.” Underwater, the story is the same: “Pneumatic motors release bubbles into the water that can stop you seeing what is going on; hydraulic power makes no bubbles. That is the direction the industry is moving,” says Koski. Gus Caldera is global Leader of business development at Ingersoll Rand. “Sticking with the offshore specialty we have new capacity ranges,” he says. “We have launched a 125t capacity system, which is a niche that was not previously catered for in the industry. Capacities typically jumped from 100t to 150t or higher, so we have filled that gap that customers were needing. “Another real change we are seeing is the spread of underwater clients and applications; it is no longer only the oil and gas industries that we can help. For example, the US navy has asked us to create a custom underwater hydraulic
hoist for them, and we got their permission to commercialise it, so now it is a regular offering from us, available to any client. “Several other organisations have also been coming to us and asking us to help them design products that are not typical, not off-the-shelf. We are seeing a lot of that, and we welcome it. It is challenging for our engineers, it is rewarding when you have done it – and as well as that, I personally find it fun.” “Those special projects, custom-built as
special orders, commonly then become a standard offering, as in the US Navy case,” says Koski. “Once one of these pieces of equipment is out there other applications appear that we can solve with the same units. Customers discover that there is a way of doing what they need to do with one of these products. That was the case with our Manrider winches. Twenty years ago they were a special request from a customer who needed a safe way for offshore rig engineers to work at height; now they are a standard product. That is how a lot of our products today started.” Green Pin has long been known for its specialised shackles and lifting ancilliaries for offshore and sub-sea applications. Its latest developments are in sockets for rope endings. “Anchoring pipes and oil platforms, towing cables and other heavy- duty applications require the sturdiest and most longlasting solutions,” says marketing coordinator Sandy Boelsums, Van Beest.
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“Green Pin sockets are made of
high-tensile galvanized steel for long- term durability as well as flexibility and safety.” They, too, have found demand for extreme-temperature equipment: “Importantly we have now extended the safe working temperature range. Operation is now guaranteed across a temperature range from -40°C up to +200°C (-40°F up to +392°F) for permanent and for temporary fixtures,” adds Boelsums. Closed Spelter, Open Spelter and Open
Wedge sockets are all available for in-line use. The range comes with a wide variety of certifications and CAD drawings for use in lifting plans. New markings have been added to the spelter sockets which are easier to read, and which will remain so even when the product has been used or submerged for some time. “This avoids misjudgement or miscalculation and ensures greater safety,” says Boelsums. “Among other benefits the socket now clearly shows which steel wire diameter it can be used with, in mm as well as in inches. End fittings can be cotter pin or safety bolt. They are the strongest, most enduring way to fasten steel wire rope end fittings. They all maintain the minimum breaking load of wire ropes if installed properly.” The sea is an unforgiving environment that does not allow liberties. Equipment makers have long been aware of that and have taken it into account. ●
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