HyperbaricLifeboatReception

Looking Beyond the launch of the Hyperbaric Lifeboat do we need a coordinated Global response?

David Smith Managing g g Director National Hyperbaric Centre Ltd. - Scotland

TheCentreofExpertisefortheSubseaIndustry

WhoandWhatisthe N ti National lHyperbaric H b i Centre?

Builtin1987bytheBritish Government ItwastoprovideaResearch CentrefortheSubseaIndustry, anddivingmedicaland h hyperbaric b i lifeboat lif b supportfor f theOffshoreDivingIndustry

It was sold off in 1989 as part of a Government rationalisation of minor institutes and facilities It was purchased by Seaway Diving a/s, and subsequently owned by Stolt Comex which subsequently became Stolt Offshore Ltd. In 2004 it was purchased by the current private owners

WhoandWhatisthe N ti National lHyperbaric H b i Centre?

AnIndependentand CommerciallyOperatedCentre asahubforDivingSafety, Safety SubseaExpertise,Training, TestingandEquipment development SaturationSystem fortrials trials,testingandsimulation Hyperbaricweldingtrialscentre HyperbaricLifeboatReceptionfacility Deep D water t simulation i l ti chamber h b connected t d t toth thesat tsystem t Extensiverangeofpressureandaltitudetestchambers TestTanks TrainingRoomsandtrainingworkshops

AnIndependentand CommerciallyOperatedCentre forDivingSafetyandSubsea Expertise

Hyperbaricweldingtrials centre

Deep water simulation chamber connected to the sat system Extensive range of pressure and altitude ltit d test t t chambers h b

Hyperbaric testing of Subsea Control Modules (SCM)

HyperbaricLifeboatReception facility

To have a Hyperbaric Reception Facility or not?

At the 2009 IMCA Conference in Rio: A Statement was made that the transfer into Hyperbaric Lifeboats without considering all aspects of the Planned evacuation was: j t a diff just different t place l t to k keep th the b bodies. di IMO requires a 72 hour survival capability for ALL personnel so do we design HLB systems to support just 72 hours Is this appropriate pp p for diving? g eg g decompression p from 150msw is 150 hours approx

To have a Hyperbaric Reception Facility or not?

72 hours - as a MINIMUM in conditions which will be far worse than these

Even decompression from typical working depths of say 150msw is 150 hours approx t is therefore acknowledged that in most saturation diving we will require access to a Hyperbaric Reception Facility

This talk will look at 4 aspects of Hyperbaric Lifeboat D l Deployment t

1. Hyperbaric Reception and Recovery facilities where are we now? eco e y, t transport, a spo t, interfacing te ac g a and d mating at g 2. HLB recovery, 3. The impact of the new generation of larger HLBs 4. Medical Support relating to HLBs

Where are we now in terms of Hyperbaric Reception F iliti ? Facilities? Established E t bli h d f facilities iliti at: t NHC Aberdeen NUI - Norway Contractors own facilities at: A t li Australia Others -where where contractually contractually obligated obligated. Usually portable, contract dependant

There is a lot of planning to do to safely handle an HLB with divers under pressure

HyperbaricLifeboat (HLB)Reception

The Service currently run by the NHC in Aberdeen

ContractsinplacetoreceiveHLBswith M j N Major North hSea S Diving Di i C Contractors OncallServiceprovided24/7 TeamofLifeSupportand DiveTechnicians R Rangeof fInter I t connecting ti Flanges 40tonneOverheadCrane

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Handling, and Connection of HLBs

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB) Reception

Therehavebeennorecent receptiontrialsatNHC IncontrastinNorwayand AustraliaallHLBshavetobe mated t dat tNUI Trialsrequirevesseltime andcommitment Largernumberofvesselsto trial

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB) Reception The previous belief by the industry is that we have HLB reception plans in place and that it is quite a straightforward job

Following a detailed review of equipment and procedures the NHC has doubts that the industry procedures, could successfully recover and decompress divers from an HLB in most cases Why do we have these doubts?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Recovery

Recovery of the HLB from the sea is probably only possible with a specialised vessel such as the Havila Troll

Only Norway has these vessels What will be done in the rest of the world?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Recovery
It is highly unlikely that the HLB will be lifted from the sea by crane onto the deck of another vessel. Problems will be sea state, snatch loadings, attachment of lifting equipment etc What are the options? One major contractor is considering a design for a rapidly deployable recovery system an economical Troll This system could be stored either on a suitable vessel on site, or at a base depending upon location/distance from operations etc.

The New Generation of HLBs Problems have been identified with the new generation of HLBs through poor communication, or no communication, , between:
Manufacturers of HLBs Diving companies HLB reception facilities Certifying authorities Emergency E response t teams

The New Generation of HLBs We have recently undertaken a thorough review of the situation especially with the arrival of the New Generation of HLBs The results are shocking shocking..

The previous pictures showed an HLB being easily moved into position The reality is quite different as there was: No LSP attached No Lifting beams and strops No cradles in place No fine adjustment for flange alignment
When we l Wh looked k d at t th the equipment i t and d procedures d required i di in d detail t il we uncovered problems in nearly every area:

The New Generation of HLBs

Problems Weight
ThesizeofHLBshasincreasedfrom12 manto t 24man Theweighthasincreasedfrom10Tons to20Tons plusdivers
NHCishavingtobuildanewreceptionfacility Acontingencyhasbeenputinplace TheframeatNUIhashadtobemodifiedto acceptthenewlargerHLBs Thereisnoloadingallowanceonthetrunking ofHRFchambers HowdoHRFmating gsystems y ensurekiss mating?

Graphics of new system

The New Generation of HLBs

Problems Flangesizes
nolongerIUC DidtheHLBmanufacturersnot considertheimplicationsofnot standardising? Whydidwenotidentifythisaspartof ManagementofChange? DidthisstartbecauseDnVhada desirablechangeto700mmidforthe t ki ? trunking?

The New Generation of HLBs

Problems Flangesizes
nolongerjustIUC seedrawing Flangedesigns nowatleast4 differenttypes Flangeangles

The New Generation of HLBs

Problems P bl Life Lif Support S tP Packages k

DifferentLSPumbilicalconnections IMOorIMCAorperhapshavebeen improved improvedupon upon.. Examplebelow:
NORSOK requirement Water supply x 2 Hot Water SVHN-12 Water return x 2 Hot Water SVHC-12 SVHC 12 Depth SVHN-4 Blowdown SVHN-8 Exhaust SVHN 12 SVHN-12 Bibs BVHN-6 Clients HLB Both supplies SVHC-12 Both returns SVHN SVHN-12 12 SVHC-4 SVHN-12 Open line will not connect to LSP SVHC-8

The New Generation of HLBs

Problems Electrics
Wenowhaveanythingfrom24vDCto 440vAC Nocompatibility p yofconnections.p plugs g andsockets PowerrequirementsforNew generationHLBsdifferentinscaleand complexitytopreviousHLBs

The New Generation of HLBs

Problems Size
length, g ,width, ,height g
ThenewHLBsaresobigthat

theNHCcannotgetsomeof fthem inthebuilding Thenewfacilitywillpermit handlingwithoutsizerestrictions Height g forslings g hasobvious restrictions

The New Generation of HLBs

Problems Liftingbeams
Manybeamsareundersized companiesneedtocheck DoublingofweightofHLBs Height g restrictionsinbuildings g Thereisnotastandardlifting beam Therearesignificantdifferences inCoG

The New generation of HLBs

Life Support Package (LSP) - interfacing of the multiple designs with new HLBs is not simple:
Contains and facilitates: a. Environmental control heating a and cooling twin or single? b. Pressurisation, depressurisation systems are different c. Communications, unscrambler wiring and connections different d U d. Umbilical bili l and d adaptors d no standard adopted e. Chemicals (sodalime, activ.carb) f. Gas supplies (HeO2 and O2)

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Situationsthatneedtobeclearlyidentified: BridgingdocumentsandtheProjectPlancoveringallprocedures LiftingPlans,beams,stropsandcradles what,whoandwhere? Transport typeof fl lorry,speed, d communications LSP whoistrainedinitsoperation?Whereisitandwhomaintains it?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Situationsnotyetclearlyidentified

AtSea
WhohaspracticedtherecoveryoftheHLBontoanothervessel? Whereistheliftplan Whereistheliftingequipment Whatseastatehasitbeentestedin? WhenHLBlaunchedandrecovered isthereanLSP?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Situationsnotyetclearlyidentified:

AttheHarbour
IsHLBonavesselorinwater? Ifinthewater,doyouhaveswimmersandprocedureforrecovery? RiskAssessment LiftPlan Liftequipmenteg beamsandslings Liftequipment i t where h k kept tand dmaintained? i t i d? IsthereanLSP? Whoisinchargeandwhatcrewisrequired?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Situationsnotyet clearlyidentified:

OnQuayside
Onquayside cradles Supportpoints forLifeboathull aretheymarked? Whereisthe C G? CoG? Wherearethe liftingbeams?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Situationsnotyetclearlyidentified:

OnTruck
toprotectandcleartheflange LSP whooperatesit? LSP is i it i running i whilst hil onthe h truck? k? Gas whoidentifiedthemixandvolumereq.? Generator ifdelayedrecovery recovery,howmuchpowerisrequired? Crew rolesandresponsibilities,andavailabilityastheVessel g notbethere crewmight
Cradles

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Situationsnotyetclearlyidentified:

UponArrivalattheNHCorotherHRF
Crew, Crew responsibilitiesandrota bothNHCandDivingContractor

staffpresent LiftplanandRA Connection confirmconnectability(flanges,clampsandLSP connections) Connect C tNHCs NHC LSPt toHLB StandardHLBs confirmliftandconnectionplan(sidemate,bottom mateetc) NewExtralargeHLBs engineeringstudy NewExtralargeHLBs contingencyplanning. Transferchamberoption TwomanTUPoption

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Situationsnotyetclearlyidentified:

AtNHC
Concernreflangemating/TUPconnections ConcernreLSPconnections Hydrauliccradle Liftingbeams

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

MedicalIntervention

IsthereHyperbaricmedicalsupportonsite? Is I there h telemedicine l di i support? ? IstheHRFteamtrainedintheoperationofthe T l Telemedicine di i unit? i? AretheDiverMedicstrainedintheuseofthe i internal lchamber h b equipment? i ?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

MedicalIntervention

Doesthe h telemedicine l di i equipment i interface i f withthesatsystem? penetratorplatesetc Is I there h compatible ibl hyperbaric h b i medical di l equipmentinthechamber?

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

MedicalIntervention Hasthemedicalequipmentbeenprovento work kin i sat? ? Asanindustrywehavehadmanyattemptsto agreeonwhat h equipment i weshould h lduse,b but noconsensusachieved The Th worldwide ld id requirement i for f hyperbarically h b i ll approvedequipmentissosmallthatmedical equipment i companies i h havelittle, li l ornoi interest.

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Contingency Planning
Duetothesizeofthenew HLBsandpotentialmishaps andmismatchesa contingencyplanisrequired AlightweightTitanium chamberisnowinserviceat theNHC Itcanbeeasilyhandledand manoeuvred Itcanbeorientatedinmost positions

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Training
R Required i dt tobe b seamless l in i the th following f ll i areas:
Emergency g yResponse p Team bothfromtheNHC/HRF / andtheDiving g Contractor Onlocationdiveteam howtorecovertheboat boat,wheretheequipmentis, is rolesandresponsibilities,LSPoperation Harbourteamreboatrecovery, recovery loadingontotruck, truck loadingontoframe, frame LSP operation HRFoperator HRFoperation, i h handling, dli fl flangealignment, li LSP, LSP operation, i Medicalinterfacing

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Isthe h Industry d isprepared daswell llasitcould ldb be?

Imagine if you are in Court asking yourself: How did we get ourselves in this position? How will you be exonerating yourself? None None of the equipment manufacturers told me of the changes Our management of change procedures failed It was operationally difficult to put a plan in place The only people who have such facilities are contractually obligated to do it it

Imagine if you are in Court and the judge is saying: You operate all over the world and transfer ships s ps ac across oss t the eg globe obe to d different e e t regions.. eg o s Why are there are HRFs in some countries but not all.. Explain why does your Internationally Internationallyoperating company does not have them available in all areas? Please explain why there are different systems for a non-commercially driven safety necessity

ProposalforaWorldwidenetworkofproven HyperbaricReceptionfacilities
Asectorclubbasis AmobileHRFpool AManagingcontractrunonanopenbookbasis TheContractedServicestoincludefacilitymanagement, maintenance,staffing,operationalsupportandmedicalsupport

HyperbaricLifeboat(HLB)Reception

Actions

1. ProvideprovenHRFsandoperationsteamsinalldiving locations 2. StandardiseHRFflangeforthefuture 3. Eachboattohaveitsownadaptortoensurematingtothis fl flange toovercomecurrentmis i matches h 4. StandardiseLSPconnectorsegNORSOK 5 Standardiseliftingbeamssoadjustmentisthesame 5. 6. StandardiseMedicalconnectionsonallchambers 7. TrainallHLBreceptioncrewsinliftingandhandling, operationsandprocedures 8. TrainallMedicalteamsinwhattoexpect 9 Medical 9. M di lstaff ffavailable il bl i inthe h HRFarea 10.Runsimulationsregularlyfortrainingandremovalof problems 11.AddtoD024asanAuditcheckforcompatibility

Responsibilities bl
Everyonehereisinvolvedinthisissue:
OilMajors DivingContractors Equipmentmanufacturers IMCAandothertradeassociations HRFfacilities f iliti

TheIndustryneedstopulltogetherto establishacoherent coherent,provencapability

Each Company needs to provide a Comprehensive Action plan including : 1. Emergency response team integrated with the Ships and Companys Company s ERT 2. Vessel to recover the HLB, lifting equipment and lift plans 3 Vessel to have LSP 3. LSP, Cradles, Cradles and connectability 4. Shoreside Reception capability including, lift plans, craneage, lifting beams, LSP, Gas, Life Support team, Mechanical team 5. Training and familiarity of the system for the Emergency team 6. Trained Medical team with equipment q p known to be suitable and compatible with the HLB and HRF

PresentationClose

TheCentreofExpertisefortheSubseaIndustry