incidents of unexploded ordnance being discovered in the vicinity of offshore platforms or pipe-laying operations. Historically, each of these incidents impacted upon the project and posed obvious human and commercial risks. Initial consultancy resulted in the delivery of bespoke training to key Shell employees, including offshore installation managers, emergency response managers, logistics, safety and operational staff. This training is complemented by the provision of supporting protocols and documentation. As training was delivered, it immediately provided benefits by raising awareness and highlighting areas of incident control and response that could be enhanced
in terms of both management and resources. Having provided a dedicated risk management structure, Ramora were then contracted to deliver a dedicated practical response to the recurring problem of historical munitions. The scope of the project ranged from initial concept and design through to the manufacture and practical trial of the equipment. The stated operational capability of the equipment was that it would be capable of remotely lifting, relocating and disposing of ordnance weighing up to 1000 kg, located to a depth of 558 ft. (170 m). Existing solutions at this time were based on military protocols, established upon war time operations and the associated levels of risk. This invariably resulted in diver intervention or at best a responsive ROV solution. Ramora UK applied a hierarchy of control measures including elimination, substitution and the incorporation of engineering and design controls, to provide a safer and timelier solution. This risk reduction methodology has resulted in equipments and operational procedures that incorporate intrinsic safety measures. This includes having no single point failures in the system and redundancy and safety mechanisms within the equipment, significantly reducing the human and commercial risks.
Practical Solution
The remote relocation of the equipment is based upon the utilization of an electro hydraulic ROV to deploy a
www.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 31
You don't have Macromedia Flash Player installed.
This content requires the Macromedia Flash Player.
Get Flash
www.digitalwavepublishing.com