EP2621797A2 - System and method for offshore rescue - Google Patents

System and method for offshore rescue

Info

Publication number
EP2621797A2
EP2621797A2 EP11757824.5A EP11757824A EP2621797A2 EP 2621797 A2 EP2621797 A2 EP 2621797A2 EP 11757824 A EP11757824 A EP 11757824A EP 2621797 A2 EP2621797 A2 EP 2621797A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crate
vessel
lifting device
offshore installation
human
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11757824.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Martin Hartland
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FUGRO COASTAL RESPONSE SERVICES AS
Original Assignee
CGG Services Norway AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CGG Services Norway AS filed Critical CGG Services Norway AS
Publication of EP2621797A2 publication Critical patent/EP2621797A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B63B27/10—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of cranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B63B27/36—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for floating cargo

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and a method for offshore rescue missions, in particular a system and a method for the rescue of any staff onboard a vessel in distress during rough weather conditions.
  • helicopters suffers from important disadvantages such as a high risk of accident in rough weather conditions and high costs.
  • a helicopter is vulnerable to strong side winds, which often occurs in the rough conditions offshore. It is therefore a need in the field for an alternative system that offers an efficient and less expensive rescue mission at sea in harsh weather.
  • Many vessels such as modern tugboats are equipped with different stabilization and tracking systems, often based on satellite systems.
  • Important examples of stabilization systems on offshore installations are so-called Jack-up Barges, various types of anchoring and modern stabilizing systems based on propellers and/or fender systems such as modern "Dynamic Position System " .
  • ROVs remote operated vehicles
  • LARS Layer and Recovery system
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an efficient and inexpensive system that may be used to transfer objects such as humans in a secure way between vessels and marine environments or offshore installations such as a rig, a tanker, a ships or an island, even in harsh weather conditions.
  • offshore installation would be used as a generic term for said vessels, marine environments and offshore installations.
  • the invention discloses a transferring system comprising the components a stabilizing system installed on a first vessel, an operating lifting device, a crate connected to a lowering device, which crate function as transporting means for at least one object to be transported, and a connecting system suitable for connecting the crate to the end of the operating lifting device, in which the combined interaction between the components/means enables the transfer of the at least one object between a first vessel and an offshore installation.
  • the stabilizing system or systems function to limit or suppress any undesirable movement of the first vessel relative to the offshore installation, preferably by the use of at least one fender and at least one side propeller.
  • the offshore installation is a second vessel such as a tanker.
  • the at least one object to be transported by the use of the transporting system may be one or more human beings, for example a rescue crew having the purpose of aiding crew on a vessel in distress.
  • the operating lifting device and the connection system may be a system that is or has been used as dedicated system for remote operating vehicle operations.
  • the movements of the operating lifting device may advantageously be remotely operated, for example by the human being or any of the human beings located inside the crate during the transport operation.
  • the invention also provides a transferring method for the transfer of at least one human being from a first vessel to an offshore installation, in particular in situations in which the offshore installation is in distress, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
  • the maneuvering of the lifting device is performed remotely, for example by any of the at least one human being located inside the crate during the transfer.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a tugboat equipped with a stabilization system using side propellers and fenders.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective drawing of a crane used to maneuver a ROV according to the prior art.
  • Figure 3 shows a heavily loaded tanker during a rescue mission from a tugboat in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a lightly loaded tanker during a rescue mission from a tugboat in accordance with the invention.
  • the marine rescue system and method according to the invention is based on various areas of technique, which have to be implemented in a certain way to ensure an efficient and low-risk operation.
  • the first vessel 1 used in this system to aid vessels 8 in distress are tugboats or supply vessels, for example dedicated to various subsea and/or fuel tanking operations. Many of these vessels are as standard equipped with effective stabilizing systems to maintain their position close to other vessels / installations 8.
  • a protective distance between the first vessel 1 and a second vessel / installation 8 may be assured be use of appropriate fenders 3, alternatively in combination with thrust systems based on propellers 2.
  • the rolling movement of the first vessel 1 may for example be limited or suppressed by use of an integrated dynamic position system (DPS) or other form of dedicated stabilizing propellers 2.
  • DPS integrated dynamic position system
  • the lifting means 4-6 When the first vessel 1 is in a stabilized condition, the lifting means 4-6 is activated.
  • the lifting means is illustrated as a crane 4 onto which a crate 6 is connected through a dedicated connecting system 5.
  • the lifting means 4-6 should have a size and dimension sufficient to carry any object to be transported during an operation such as one or more adult humans forming part of a rescue crew.
  • the crate 6 may advantageously also be suitably equipped for carrying any cargo, such as rescue equipment that may aid the operation.
  • the lift 4 is operated by remote operating means, either from the boat or vessel 1 or by the rescue crew themselves.
  • the transport of the crate 6 from the first vessel 1 to the second vessel / installation 8 can be performed by for example a LARS crane 4 that has been modified to be attachable to a dedicated crate 6.
  • a LARS crane 4 that has been modified to be attachable to a dedicated crate 6.
  • humans constituting the rescue crew may lower themselves down towards and onto the second vessel 8 in a more controlled and secure way compared current prior art techniques. It is important that the height between the deck of the second vessel / installation 8 and the bottom of the crate 6 is large enough to assure that any heave / vertical movements do not represent any risk of collisions.
  • Figure 3 and figure 4 show the crate in position for lowering of the rescue crew above a tanker 8 that is heavily and lightly loaded, respectively.
  • the persons or object to be rescued or transported will be loaded on board the crate 6, preferably aided by one or more of the rescue crew, and subsequently transported back to the first vessel 1 by use of the remote control system.
  • an offshore installation such as an offshore oil drilling platform, a tanker, a vessel or another floating device, will call for assistance to rescue persons or objects from the offshore installation in distress.
  • the rescue boat 1, such as a tugboat, a supply vessel or similar, will then approach the offshore installation 8 and position itself as close as possible to the offshore installation 8.
  • the crane 4 onboard the first vessel 1 is then prepared for action.
  • the rescue crew constituting one or more persons enters the crate 6 connected to the crane 4.
  • the crane 4 is operated either by the rescue crew from inside the crate 6, or by personnel on the rescue boat 1.
  • the crate 6 is then positioned above or on the offshore installation in distress.
  • the persons or object to be rescued or transported is then loaded into the crate 6, and the crate 6 is returned to the first vessel 1 by the use of the crane 4.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
  • Ship Loading And Unloading (AREA)
  • Types And Forms Of Lifts (AREA)

Abstract

A system and method for offshore rescue of an object from an offshore installation (8) comprising the components: a first vessel (1) equipped with a stabilizing system (2, 3), an operating lifting device (4), a connecting system (5) suitable for connecting the crate (6) to the end of the operating lifting device (4), and a crate (6) connected to a lowering device (7), in which the combined interaction of the components enables the transfer of the at least one object between the first vessel (1) and an offshore installation (8).

Description

Title:
System and method for offshore rescue
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a system and a method for offshore rescue missions, in particular a system and a method for the rescue of any staff onboard a vessel in distress during rough weather conditions.
Background and prior art
Today most rescue missions at sea are performed by the use of helicopters since helicopters may provide the efficiency and rapidity that is required. During such rescue missions rescue crew is lowered down from the helicopter onto marine installations such as tankers in distress by use of suitable winches or ropes.
However, the use of helicopters suffers from important disadvantages such as a high risk of accident in rough weather conditions and high costs. For example, a helicopter is vulnerable to strong side winds, which often occurs in the rough conditions offshore. It is therefore a need in the field for an alternative system that offers an efficient and less expensive rescue mission at sea in harsh weather. Many vessels such as modern tugboats are equipped with different stabilization and tracking systems, often based on satellite systems. Important examples of stabilization systems on offshore installations are so-called Jack-up Barges, various types of anchoring and modern stabilizing systems based on propellers and/or fender systems such as modern "Dynamic Position System".
Furthermore, offshore industry vessels used in subsea operations are often equipped with cranes meant for various subsea and/or seabed tasks. One example is cranes adapted to maneuver ROVs (remote operated vehicles) such as LARS (Launch and Recovery system) cranes which are used to keep ROVs in a safe distant from the boat itself and for transporting the ROV into and out from the water.
Object of the invention Based on above-mentioned need in the field to find an alternative system the object of the present invention is to provide an efficient and inexpensive system that may be used to transfer objects such as humans in a secure way between vessels and marine environments or offshore installations such as a rig, a tanker, a ships or an island, even in harsh weather conditions. Hereinafter offshore installation would be used as a generic term for said vessels, marine environments and offshore installations.
Summary of the invention Said objects are achieved by a system as stated in the introductory part, and that have the characteristic features as stated in claim 1. A transferring method for the transfer of at least one human being from a first vessel to an offshore installation has the characteristic features as stated in claim 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention are stated in the dependent claims.
More particularly, the invention discloses a transferring system comprising the components a stabilizing system installed on a first vessel, an operating lifting device, a crate connected to a lowering device, which crate function as transporting means for at least one object to be transported, and a connecting system suitable for connecting the crate to the end of the operating lifting device, in which the combined interaction between the components/means enables the transfer of the at least one object between a first vessel and an offshore installation.
The stabilizing system or systems function to limit or suppress any undesirable movement of the first vessel relative to the offshore installation, preferably by the use of at least one fender and at least one side propeller.
In one advantageous embodiment the offshore installation is a second vessel such as a tanker.
The at least one object to be transported by the use of the transporting system may be one or more human beings, for example a rescue crew having the purpose of aiding crew on a vessel in distress. Primarily to avoid excessive expenses the operating lifting device and the connection system may be a system that is or has been used as dedicated system for remote operating vehicle operations. To ensure high degree of flexibility and/or security the movements of the operating lifting device may advantageously be remotely operated, for example by the human being or any of the human beings located inside the crate during the transport operation.
The invention also provides a transferring method for the transfer of at least one human being from a first vessel to an offshore installation, in particular in situations in which the offshore installation is in distress, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
bringing the first vessel in a position close to the offshore installation by use of a stabilizing system,
placing at least one human being inside a crate connected to a lifting device by a connecting system,
maneuvering the lifting device to arrange the crate in a position above the offshore installation, and
lowering the least one human onto the offshore installation by use of a lowering device.
Preferably the maneuvering of the lifting device is performed remotely, for example by any of the at least one human being located inside the crate during the transfer.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a tugboat equipped with a stabilization system using side propellers and fenders.
Figure 2 shows a perspective drawing of a crane used to maneuver a ROV according to the prior art. Figure 3 shows a heavily loaded tanker during a rescue mission from a tugboat in accordance with the invention.
Figure 4 shows a lightly loaded tanker during a rescue mission from a tugboat in accordance with the invention.
Detailed description of the invention The marine rescue system and method according to the invention is based on various areas of technique, which have to be implemented in a certain way to ensure an efficient and low-risk operation. With reference to figure 1-3 the first vessel 1 used in this system to aid vessels 8 in distress are tugboats or supply vessels, for example dedicated to various subsea and/or fuel tanking operations. Many of these vessels are as standard equipped with effective stabilizing systems to maintain their position close to other vessels / installations 8. A protective distance between the first vessel 1 and a second vessel / installation 8 may be assured be use of appropriate fenders 3, alternatively in combination with thrust systems based on propellers 2. The rolling movement of the first vessel 1 may for example be limited or suppressed by use of an integrated dynamic position system (DPS) or other form of dedicated stabilizing propellers 2.
When the first vessel 1 is in a stabilized condition, the lifting means 4-6 is activated. In figure 3 and 4 the lifting means is illustrated as a crane 4 onto which a crate 6 is connected through a dedicated connecting system 5. The lifting means 4-6 should have a size and dimension sufficient to carry any object to be transported during an operation such as one or more adult humans forming part of a rescue crew. The crate 6 may advantageously also be suitably equipped for carrying any cargo, such as rescue equipment that may aid the operation. Preferably the lift 4 is operated by remote operating means, either from the boat or vessel 1 or by the rescue crew themselves.
The transport of the crate 6 from the first vessel 1 to the second vessel / installation 8 can be performed by for example a LARS crane 4 that has been modified to be attachable to a dedicated crate 6. When the crate 6 is in the desired position above the topical vessel / installation 8, humans constituting the rescue crew may lower themselves down towards and onto the second vessel 8 in a more controlled and secure way compared current prior art techniques. It is important that the height between the deck of the second vessel / installation 8 and the bottom of the crate 6 is large enough to assure that any heave / vertical movements do not represent any risk of collisions. Figure 3 and figure 4 show the crate in position for lowering of the rescue crew above a tanker 8 that is heavily and lightly loaded, respectively.
When the crate 6 is positioned above the deck of the offshore installation 8, the persons or object to be rescued or transported will be loaded on board the crate 6, preferably aided by one or more of the rescue crew, and subsequently transported back to the first vessel 1 by use of the remote control system. In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention an offshore installation, such as an offshore oil drilling platform, a tanker, a vessel or another floating device, will call for assistance to rescue persons or objects from the offshore installation in distress. The rescue boat 1, such as a tugboat, a supply vessel or similar, will then approach the offshore installation 8 and position itself as close as possible to the offshore installation 8. The crane 4 onboard the first vessel 1 is then prepared for action. The rescue crew constituting one or more persons enters the crate 6 connected to the crane 4. The crane 4 is operated either by the rescue crew from inside the crate 6, or by personnel on the rescue boat 1. The crate 6 is then positioned above or on the offshore installation in distress. The persons or object to be rescued or transported is then loaded into the crate 6, and the crate 6 is returned to the first vessel 1 by the use of the crane 4.

Claims

Claims
1. Transferring system, characterized in that the system comprises the components
a stabilizing system (2, 3) installed on a first vessel (1),
an operating lifting device (4),
a crate (6) functioning as transporting means for at least one object to be transported, and
a connecting system (5) suitable for connecting the crate (6) to the end of the operating lifting device (4),
in which the combined interaction of the components enables the transfer of the at least one object between the first vessel ( 1) and an offshore installation (8).
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing system (2,3) comprises at least one fender (3) and at least one side propeller (2).
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the offshore installation (8) is a second vessel (8).
4. The system according to one of the claims 1-3, wherein the at least one object to be transported is at least one human being.
5. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating lifting device (4) and the connection system (5) are or have been used as dedicated system for remote operating vehicle operations.
6. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein movement of the operating lifting device (4) may be remotely operated.
7. System according to claim 6, wherein the movement of the operating lifting device (4) may be remotely operated by any human beings located inside the crate (6).
8. A transferring method for the transfer of at least one human being from a first vessel (1) to an offshore installation (8),
characterized in comprising the following steps: bringing the first vessel (1) in a position close to the offshore installation (8) by use of a stabilizing system (2, 3),
placing at least one human being inside a crate (6) connected to a lifting device (4) by a connecting system (5),
maneuvering the lifting device (4) to arrange the crate (6) in a position above the offshore installation (8) and
lowering the least one human onto the offshore installation (8) using a lowering device (7).
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the maneuvering of the lifting device (4) may be remotely performed.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the maneuvering of the lifting device (4) may be remotely performed by the at least one human being located inside the crate (6).
EP11757824.5A 2010-09-29 2011-09-08 System and method for offshore rescue Withdrawn EP2621797A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20101354A NO20101354A1 (en) 2010-09-29 2010-09-29 A system and method for transporting rescue personnel from a vessel to an installation at sea
PCT/EP2011/065560 WO2012041680A2 (en) 2010-09-29 2011-09-08 System and method for offshore rescue

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2621797A2 true EP2621797A2 (en) 2013-08-07

Family

ID=44653300

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11757824.5A Withdrawn EP2621797A2 (en) 2010-09-29 2011-09-08 System and method for offshore rescue

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2621797A2 (en)
NO (1) NO20101354A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2012041680A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103641017B (en) * 2013-11-25 2015-09-23 无锡起岸重工机械有限公司 Portable crane
NO344178B1 (en) 2017-12-07 2019-09-30 Rolls Royce Marine As Interface unit
CN109878637A (en) * 2019-04-17 2019-06-14 大连海事大学 Rescue ship life at sea rescue device and its application method
CN111634374B (en) * 2020-05-28 2021-09-07 武汉第二船舶设计研究所(中国船舶重工集团公司第七一九研究所) Marine transfer device

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3756446A (en) * 1972-05-24 1973-09-04 Krupp Gmbh Device for transloading floating containers
GB2163402B (en) * 1984-08-22 1987-12-31 British Aerospace Open sea transfer of articles
GB9809102D0 (en) * 1998-04-28 1998-07-01 Oceantech Plc Stabilsed ship-borne apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2012041680A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012041680A3 (en) 2012-05-24
NO20101354A1 (en) 2012-03-30
WO2012041680A2 (en) 2012-04-05

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