Offshore platforms are essential for a variety of services which are carried out at sea. From
existing Oil and Gas infrastructure to the growing markets of offshore renewable energy, be
that through wave power, tidal, or offshore wind power. Across all industries there is a drive
towards automation in order to lower ongoing costs and as a consequence, many offshore
platforms are unmanned. Such unmanned platforms require on demand inspection,
maintenance and repair work to be carried out along with scheduled works. In order to carry
out such works, it is necessary for human engineers to be transferred to the platform in
question. Such transfers are currently carried out through a variety of methods: helicopter
transfer, transfer gangways, stepping over the bow, or even through swing ropes. All of which
carry with them a significant degree of risk and expense, both financially and
environmentally. There are 2.1 fatalities per billion passenger kilometres for helicopter travel
in comparison to 0.004 for commercial aviation (UKDfT). Also, as a result of this inherent
risk, there are a limited range of seascapes in which such transfers can take place.
Submarine Technology Limited is coming to the end (September 2013) of a TSB funded
proof of concept project which will lead into the development project proposed here. Upon
successful completion, Neptune: a ½ scale, DNV certified and sea tested transfer system will
have been successfully developed which when commercialised will allow for the ultra-safe
transfer of 4 workers from a Multi-Role support vessel to an offshore platform in increased
sea states. This will be achieved through the integration of patent protected motion sensing
technology and engineering which will compensate for roll, pitch, yaw, heave, surge and sway
in order to render the transfer capsule stationary relative to the platform being accessed. The
project will be successfully completed and ready for commercialisation in 18 months.