Worksite News

In the commercial maritime and offshore industries, where worker safety and competency are crucial, effective training practices are an absolute must. While hands-on, in-the-field learning will always be a vital component of any mariner’s training, marine simulation has become a welcome enhancement to the education process. And in some cases, it’s seen as a safer alternative to traditional survival craft and rescue boat training.A leader in this space is Virtual Marine, based in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition to wind, offshore wind demands human energy, individuals with knowledge and skills first to build and then operate and maintain the dozens of projects required to meet President Biden’s 2030 goal of 30 GW of offshore generation. In an October 2022 National Renewable Energy Laboratory report – “U.S. Offshore Wind Workforce Assessment” – the authors estimate that it will require, on average, between 15,000 and 58,000 employees annually, depending on domestic content scenarios, to build out a huge new wind machine.Mariners and mariner training are integral to offshore wind.

A new 18-m craft for the Nauticus robotic navy fleet will be fitted with Smartgyro’s SG80 units for roll reduction in manned and unmanned operations.Golden Arrow Marine is supplying Smartgyro SG80 gyroscopic stabilization units to Cowes boatbuilder Diverse Marine for installation on its new 18-m Hydronaut vessels for Houston-based Nauticus Robotics.The Smartgyro SG80 is innovative in that it can be serviced, maintained and assembled directly inside the boat, suitable for both new builds and refits.Smartgyro’s UK Master Dealer Golden Arrow Marine has partnered with Nauticus Robotics…

Saipem's giant Saipem 7000 semi-submersible crane vessel is set to return to operation at the Seagreen wind farm site in the UK a month and a half after it was involved in a tilting incident in Norway.As previously reported, in mid-April, Saipem 7000 tilted in a fjord in Norway with 275 people aboard. The vessel tilted during the planned 5 years main cranes load test, when, as Saipem said, the main block wire broke during the test lifting operation and the testing load (two cargo barges) with the main block was released into the water.Now the vessel appears ready to return to work…

Technical operations to remove the wreck of the Wakashio bulk carrier that ran aground and broke up off Mauritius wrapped up this week as salvors recovered final sections of ship debris that were lying up to 500 meters away from the site of the stern section.On July 25, 2020, the 300-meter Wakashio struck a reef near Pointe d'Esny off the Indian Ocean island's east coast, triggering an ecological disaster and prompting the Mauritian government to declare a state of emergency.

Volvo Penta has secured a contract to provide quad IPS propulsion systems for the four new offshore wind farm crew transfer vessels (CTVs) that will be built at Blount Boats for American Offshore Services (AOS). The new 30-meter (99-ft.) twin-hull CTVs will be powered by four IPS900 propulsion drives, two in each hull. The fully integrated system will also include Volvo Penta’s GPS-based Dynamic Positioning System and integrated joystick controls, allowing for convenient and easy maneuverability even in conditions of strong currents and high waves.

Workplace health and safety services company Remote Medical International (RMI) announced the launch of two new services RMI Access Telemedicine and Case Management to address health and safety challenges found in demanding industrial environments. Suited for oil and gas, renewables, construction and other industries with worksites in remote locations, the new services provide direct anytime, anywhere access to licensed medical providers trained in industrial injury management…

Hardcore preventative procedures to ensure health, safety, and solid protection from wildly spreading diseases are in the spotlight like never before. For life and work onboard, this means a new set of disease prevention procedures to create, repeat, rehearse, and perfect until they become deeply rooted habits. These procedures must not only apply to the staff and the passengers. They must also include and be followed by temporary workforces like contractors, suppliers, and service personnel.

A jack-up rig owned by Malaysian drilling contractor Velesto tilted and submerged at a location offshore Sarawak, Malaysia on Tuesday, the rig owner said."The Board of Directors of Velesto Energy Berhad [...] regrets to inform that an incident involving one of our rigs, Velesto Naga 7, occurred at the worksite due to rapid penetration into the formation on 3 May 2021, Monday, whilst operating in offshore Sarawak for a client. "The rig tilted and subsequently on 4 May 2021, Tuesday, VELESTO NAGA 7 submerged at the location.

In the last year, the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the risks of working in what was already one of the most hostile environments on Earth. But, with the first anniversary of the outbreak not long in our collective rear-view mirrors, offshore workers in the North Sea are facing a twin threat: emerging new variants of the virus and increasing Covid-fatigue and complacency.The UK offshore industry has achieved an enviable safety record during the pandemic, due in large measure to the widespread testing of offshore workers before mobilization.

When designing and constructing a new blast and paint facility at its yard in Belle Chasse, La., C&C Marine and Repair set out to create a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly worksite that would deliver a high-quality product.Fifteen months and 131 barges later, C&C Marine has nearly doubled its capacity as the facility and its robotic blasting technology continually meet and exceed expectations, says Tony Cibilich, president and owner of C&C Marine and Repair, who sees a long list of benefits for customers…

Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, says it is doing its part to fight obesity and bolster the health of its employees. The shipyard's health-conscious changes have helped it succeed as a Platinum Fit-Friendly Worksite. Fit-Friendly Worksites are recognized by the American Heart Association as employers who go above and beyond when it comes to employee health. These companies offer both nutritional services and physical activities aimed at supporting the employees' health. "We are honored to receive this award," said Edmond E. Hughes, Ingalls' vice president of human resources and administration. "There were only four companies in the state of Mississippi to earn a Platinum status, so we are part of a very selective group in the state.

It could be argued that no other sector of the maritime market has experienced a design innovation revolution quite like the Offshore Service Vessel (OSV) market. Driven by demands to supply people, gear and goods to offshore installations that are increasingly further from shore in deeper waters, today’s OSV is a far cry from those built only a decade ago. Maritime Reporter examines some of the recent innovations in design and function. Deepwater operations are increasingly demanding more personnel offshore, often for longer periods of time, placing a greater emphasis on crew accommodation.

Accommodations, Features and Comfort combine with Safety. All are key for Offshore Housing missions. Deepwater operations are increasingly demanding more personnel offshore, often for longer periods of time, placing a greater emphasis on crew accommodation. Now, accommodation and special features join safety as the key components for a new range of comfortable, large-scale offshore housing vessels. Emerging in this range is Hornbeck Offshore Services’ HOS Achiever. On its own, the vessel presents as a relatively normal offshore multipurpose vessel.

Deepwater operations are increasingly demanding more personnel offshore, often for longer periods of time, placing a greater emphasis on crew accommodation. Now accommodation and special features join safety as the key components for a new range of comfortable, large-scale offshore housing vessels. Emerging in this range is Hornbeck Offshore Services’ HOS Achiever, a ship perceived as relatively normal offshore multipurpose vessel. What’s unique about HOS Achiever, though, is what she accomplishes.

Finnish survey company FCG (Finnish Consulting Group) Ltd. has placed an order for a new GRP survey boat from Blyth Workcats Ltd of Canvey Island, U.K. The 14-meter catamaran will be known as the Nordic Sonar and it is now being built to meet the specialized needs of the FCG survey teams. It will be based in Turku, Finland and is being fitted with comprehensive heating system and insulation suitable for its use in the demanding conditions around the Finnish coast and the northern Baltic.

The workscope involved providing a verified barrier during hot work activities, followed by localized pressure testing of new welds/fittings during a planned shutdown for routine maintenance and the rerouting of new pipework. The pipeline engineering specialist supplied 28 In-Line Weld Test Tools, ranging in size from 2" to 20", and a team of six technicians during the 12 day shutdown window. STATS Group general manager in Qatar, Vikas Shangari, said, “Our In-Line Weld Test Tools are deployed in to ambient pipework to provide a verified vapor barrier…

The Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) global family of companies, plans to enlarge its fleet and expand its terminal facilities in support of its customer base. The Chouest newbuild order book contains over 40 vessels, a vast majority to be constructed at its four U.S.-affiliate shipyards: North American Shipbuilding (Larose, LA), LaShip (Houma, LA), Gulf Ship (Gulfport, MS) and Tampa Ship (Tampa, FL), as well as its Brazilian shipyard, Navship. ECO’s worldwide fleet now approaches 250 highly specialized offshore service and support vessels.

The Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) global family of companies announced plans to enlarge its fleet and expand its terminal facilities in support of its customer base. The Chouest newbuild order book contains more than 40 vessels, a vast majority to be constructed at its four U.S.-affiliate shipyards: North American Shipbuilding (Larose, La.), LaShip (Houma, La.), Gulf Ship (Gulfport, Miss.) and Tampa Ship (Tampa, Fla.), as well as its Brazilian shipyard, Navship. ECO’s worldwide fleet now approaches 250 highly specialized offshore service and support vessels. The largest portion of the newbuild program contains 17 vessels, with options for an additional 20, in a new class of 312’ x 66’ x 26’ new generation, clean design, diesel-electric platform supply vessels (PSV).

Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corp. has been recognized as one of the top three 2013 Healthiest Employers by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Crowley ranked third of all large northeast Florida companies (500+ employees), and was one of just 24 overall ranked businesses to receive this award. Crowley’s Manager of Employee Programs Katy Keene accepted the award on behalf of the company during a special awards breakfast held at the University of North Florida’s University Center.

Hermes Datacommunications is now providing VSAT services in Yangon, Myanmar for one of the world’s leading Oilfield Service Groups. Hermes Datacomms has installed a stabilised antenna at the customer’s worksite, an offshore rig, and linked it back to Yatanarpon Teleport in Yangon, where the customer has telephone and internet access. The service makes use of Comtech “ACM” technology to provide robust and efficient service within the local tropical climate. The service is monitored 24/7 from Hermes global NOC, and local support and site attendance is provided by Hermes’ service partner in Yangon. "Myanmar holds very exciting opportunities for the oil and gas telecommunications sector," said Mohd Faizal Zainal Amri, General Manager, Hermes Malaysia.

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Shipbuilding Division receives a Platinum Award in the American Heart Association's Fit-Friendly Worksite program. The award is the highest level recognized by the AHA for companies that demonstrate progressive leadership in making the health and wellness of their employees a priority. "Our shipbuilders are the greatest asset we have, and I am proud of the progress we have made to provide resources promoting physical activity and a healthy work environment," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Irwin F. Edenzon.

Drydocks World announced new safety milestones on a number of projects in February 2013. The company has built its reputation around a strong Health, Safety and Environment culture and is working on several ground-breaking projects for major international players in the oil, gas and energy sectors. A robust health and safety management system strengthened by the focus on Zero Harm and ’12 Life saving Rules’ launched in 2012 ensures that safety remains at the core of the business culture.