Hook-Up Operations Added to QINSy

Software design company Quality Positioning Services BV (QPS) has upgraded its hydrographic data acquisition, navigation and processing software package QINSy (Quality Integrated Navigation System). The latest version, 8.10.2015.06.29.1, includes a new feature called Hook-Up Operations for Anchor Handling, for pre-laid anchors powered by Orcaflex of Orcina.

Traditional anchor handling, including showing the catenary, was already possible with QINSy. The anchors are run from the rig or barge using tug boats that deploy the anchors at the planned positions. During the anchor handling procedure the catenary, powered by Orcaflex, is shown during the entire operation.

With the new Hook-Up procedure the anchors are already pre-laid on the seabed, but not yet connected to a rig or tug boat. The anchor has a wire with a (sub) surface buoy at the end.

A tug boat will pick up this buoy and connect its own working wire to the anchor wire. After that, it will sail back to the rig where the anchor wire will be connected with the rig chain wire coming from the fairlead winch.

After completion of such an operation the result will be the same as with normal anchor handling: A rig is connected to several dropped anchors in order to stay in its place.

QPS said the advantage of using Orcaflex for the catenary calculation is that it supports complex anchor wires that consist of different types of material, which all have their own structural characteristics.

The Hook-Up functionality is added in the Session Setup of the QINSy Controller, were the Hook-Up operation is added as a new operation type. 

The operation can be visualized in 3D using the QINSy 3D Display. The catenary of the anchor chain and wires are displayed as well as the distances between the seabed and the deepest point of the catenary and between subsea assets and the catenary.