Emerging Technology Set to Raise Bar for Offshore Transfers

As a global leader in safe marine transfer solutions, Reflex Marine will share its vision of the future of marine-based crew logistics at the upcoming North Sea Offshore Crane and Lifting Conference in Aberdeen April 24-26.

The conference, now in its 17th year, drew 16 nations and more than 200 delegates last year.

“New technology continues to develop rapidly in the field of crane transfer,” said Phillip Strong, Managing Director and co-founder of Reflex Marine. “We will focus on some of the most advanced crane transfer operations taking place around the world, examining track records and how an integrated approach is improving safety and efficiency. We will provide an update on our recently-launched 10 Golden Rules for crane transfer safety, the result of a collaboration by three companies, which draws on our experience of millions of transfer operations performed each year in the industry. It is hoped that these ‘rules’ will become recognized as a global standard for best practice transfer operations.”

At the conference, Reflex will discuss the increasing use of formal training as a key tool in the management of risk, with recent examples given of how crane transfer plays a vital role in evacuations and other emergencies.

The spotlight will be focused on emerging technologies. These include deck motion monitoring systems, which allow crane operators to accurately interpret vessel motions. A crane operator can better assess if a transfer can be safely performed, and can define the safest landing areas in real time. These systems can provide a significant overall reduction in vessel operating costs.

A new generation of transfer devices, now under development, which are designed to improve safety and further increase safe operating envelopes, will also be revealed with an overview given on the current standards and guidelines in place around the world in relation to safe lifting practices for personnel.

“We will also take another look at evacuation provisions, as recent events around the world have reemphasized the importance of preparedness for emergency scenarios,” Strong continued. “The approach to managing emergencies varies radically from region to region, but it is difficult to over-state the importance of the industry getting this right. The positive news is that increased industry awareness and training, coupled with improving technology, is bringing very important new tools to the disposal of those responsible for directing emergency operations. If these options are recognized and deployed properly, and we prepare for a range of emergency scenarios, we should be able to considerably reduce risks for offshore workers.”