Page 16 - North American Clean Energy January February 2014

wind power

Guidance for the Offshore Wind Industry

Making the most of oil & gas

Jane Bugler & Alan MacLeay | Photo courtesy of Seaway Heavy Lifting

When it comes to optimizing the clean power produced by wind energy, reaching out to the non-renewable oil and gas sectors
seems like the last place to seek guidance. However, when it comes to charting the relatively new waters of the ofshore wind

industry, sharing of marine construction experience, safe methods of working, and recommended practices for safe and

successful installations, are vital to the success of potential new projects—and the oil and gas certainly has enough ofshore
experience to ofer.

he ofshore wind energy industry doesn’t exist in isolation, and learning from and operation guidance is already in place*. his lifting guidance is based on existing practices
integrating other maritime sector technologies and methodologies presents opportunities collated from major companies, and suggests improved methods for safe lifting. Intended
for mutual cooperation. It’s also an imperative step as it relates to increasing safety levels. for use in worldwide operations, the guidance demonstrates the essential components that
In Europe, for example, major marine contractors have become increasingly involved as should be included in company procedures for lifting operations, and ofers advice on the

wind power projects grow larger and further from shore.
steps within a lifting operation process that will promote safety.
Working safely and cost-eiciently in hostile waters is something the ofshore oil and gas Although the guidance was never speciically written for wind energy, the principles
industry knows well, with marine contractors playing an important role. Many herein have described are relevant to all ofshore operations in any waters—and, so the wind industry
worked diligently to aid in the production of guidance, designed to ensure safety so that can beneit from their adoption.

‘zero incidents’ occur, and that eicient and efective ofshore operations are maintained.
Transfer of such guidance to the ofshore wind sector is intended to produce the same Offshore vessels
results, essentially saving time and—most importantly—saving workers from accidents One of the common activities speciic to ofshore operations is the transfer of personnel
and injuries.
between vessels and other ofshore structures. Vessel transfers can include movements

of personnel at crew change and shift change from vessel to vessel, and between vessels,
Safe lifting operations
ofshore structures, barges, crew boats, as well as to and from the quayside. Seems simple
On a typical ofshore construction vessel, lifting is endemic to operations, and ranges from enough, but there are inherent risks involved.
lifting of stores and spares handling through to complicated and heavy lifts. One survey A revision of the guidance (irst published by the IMCA in 2010) related to vessel

showed there could be more than 200 diferent lifting operations on a single vessel.
transfers sees an addition to include “and structures,” signifying the inclusion of ofshore
Of course, each lifting operation has a risk of injury to people and/or equipment. wind turbines. his document provides guidance for the ofshore industry on the
Although many tasks are repetitive and of low risk, a percentage is considered more safe transfer of personnel at sea. It covers risk assessment, training and competence,
challenging or dangerous, requiring scrutiny and input to reduce any associated risks. It’s responsibility, equipment and communications, and focuses on the main methods of

also worth noting that many accidents tend to occur in what are perceived as low-risk, personnel transfer between vessels.
everyday operations. Sometimes the seemingly simple or routine actually harbor the most Looking at the primary methods of personnel transfer in detail, the guidance covers
risk.
the main safety issues, providing information about the specialist equipment that may be
As a result, it’s important to ensure that procedures are in place to try to ensure lifting involved—such as “surfers” (specially designed attachments to crew boats, larger vessels,

teams remain alert at all times, regardless of the ease or diiculty of an operation.
and ofshore structures, allowing personnel to step safely across), as well as special duties
Lifting is an integral part of the wind power industry. By learning from the experience or responsibilities of personnel involved, particularly with regard to communications.
of others, reinvention of the ‘guidance wheel’ isn’t required. Currently, marine lifting

16 nacleanenergy.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014