BP Survey and Site Investigation Global Specifications

August 2011
BPXS 6001
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION FOR SURVEY VESSEL

BP TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 6001

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION FOR SURVEY VESSEL
(Where Vessel is to be provided by CONTRACTOR)
Revisions

1.

Rev. 09
Rev. 08

August 2011
September 2004

Rev. 07
Rev. 06
Rev. 05

February 2004
August 2000
November 1996

JGS minor updates

AWH Re-inclusion to BPXS System, major
re-adjustment of order and content.
ICM/GL/RSA Updates and changes
AWH Major Rewrite
ICM Requirement for colour charts

PURPOSE
This document has been compiled for the purpose of providing CONTRACTORS,
tendering for Offshore Survey Work, with a series of guidelines as to the standard and
outline specification of survey vessels. Section 2.4 is intended to allow the CONTRACTOR
to present a comprehensive profile of the vessel and its support structure to assist the
clients marine staff in their assessment of the vessels suitability and optimise the time
spent on Technical Audits.

2.

CONTRACTUAL

2.1

Contractual Clauses
2.1.1
The vessel(s) shall be of adequate size, power and construction to operate safely
in the prospect areas outlined by the client and to undertake the work required with
reasonable despatch.
2.1.2
To that purpose the vessel(s) shall be classed by a recognised classification
society and all certification required by that society shall be kept in date and on the vessel
ready for inspection. The documentation shall be in a form acceptable to the authorities in
the area in which the vessel is operating. The CONTRACTOR shall advise of any subjects
to class at present outstanding. If the keel was laid before 18th. July 1982 the provenance
of the GRT certificate is to be detailed.
2.1.3
Comprehensive guidelines are included with this tender document to enable the
CONTRACTOR to give full details of the vessel(s) tendered for the work.
2.1.4
The CONTRACTOR should bear in mind that award of any contract will be
subject to satisfactory technical and safety audit of the vessel(s) in question, acoustic noise
test results may be requested by the COMPANY to be included with the tendered vessel
specifications.
2.1.5
The vessel(s) personnel shall be sufficiently conversant with the English
Language to enable COMPANYs Representative to issue instructions and to receive
verbal and written reports in the English Language.
2.1.6
The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for ensuring that marine and survey
operations are carried out with a high degree of safety at all times. The CONTRACTOR
shall co-operate with the client in achieving the highest standards of safety possible.

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2.1.7
The client will reserve the right to terminate or suspend any contract forthwith if
the CONTRACTOR should fail to maintain a consistently high standard of safety aboard
the vessel.
2.2

Observation of Pollution Regulations

The CONTRACTOR shall be aware of his responsibilities for environmental protection
during the vessel's operations i.e. the pollution of the sea due to spillage of any sort of liquid
or by disposal of waste material.
The vessel shall comply with the requirements of MARPOL 73/78 as amended or equivalent
flag legislation and shall carry documentation relating to Annex V of Marpol 73/78
(Garbage).
Garbage container(s) of sufficient volume to collect all waste covered by the above
legislation shall be carried. It is COMPANY policy that no solids, with the exception of
ground waste, sewage and washroom waste, be discharged overboard to the sea from any
vessel. The only exceptions to this are discharges permitted by other legislation.

2.3

Safety Equipment
The survey vessel shall be classed by a recognised classification society and all
certification required by that society shall be kept up to date. The CONTRACTORS
attention is drawn to the requirements of SOLAS 74 and subsequent amendments or
equivalent flag legislation, in particular the requirements for fire protection and extinction,
the carriage of life saving appliances and carriage of nautical publications.
CONTRACTOR to provide COMPANY with report and details from last audit but all vessels
may be subject to COMPANY audit. The IMCA Common Marine Audit Document or the
OCIMF Offshore Vessel Inspection Document are the preferred standards. For a previous
audit to be recognised it is expected that the audit will have taken place within the previous
6 months and was completed by a recognised auditor. Further details regarding vessel
audit can be found in BPXS6002.
Pot water samples will be taken for analysis during the vessel audit.
2.3.1

Certification of Lifting Equipment

In addition to general aspects of safety, encompassed in the foregoing clauses, the

CONTRACTOR shall be aware of the clients strict requirements for the certification of all
lifting equipment used in the work tendered for. To this end the COMPANY will expect the
vessels lifting equipment, including that used in conjunction with survey works, to be fully
certified by a recognised testing authority. Certificates should have been verified during the
vessel audit process.
Any lifting equipment required to be transported by the client for the purpose of sustaining
offshore operations, shall be subject to scrutiny, including non-destructive testing of sea
fastening welds and test loads and, if found defective in any way, including certification, will
be rejected or replaced as the client sees fit. Any costs incurred in this latter case will be for
the CONTRACTORS account.
2.3.2
Regulations
The CONTRACTORS attention is drawn, but not limited to, the need to comply with the
requirements of the following U.K. documents (and equivalent legislation of the vessel's
flag):
Merchant Shipping (Hatches & Lifting Plant) Regulations SI 1988/1639
Statutory Instrument 1019 Part 1, Items 6 (1) to (4)
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
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Factories Act 1961
Dock Regulations 1934
2.3.3

Medical Fitness

The CONTRACTOR shall bear in mind the clients medical fitness requirements for
personnel working offshore and, where relevant, the Department of Trade requirements for
medical certification of seafarers serving on British Flag Vessels. The client will expect
seafarers serving on the tendered vessels to meet acceptable medical standards. The
CONTRACTORS attention is drawn, but not limited to, the following U.K. regulations (and
equivalent legislation of the vessel's flag):
Merchant Shipping Notices 1144, 1225, 1230
OGP Guidelines on Medical Fitness.
2.4

Marine Technical Information Required for Proposed Vessels

2.4.1
Work.

CONTRACTOR shall state which vessels shall be offered for the tendered Survey

2.4.2
CONTRACTOR shall state the method for providing the vessels required to
conduct this work:
i)

Owned and Operated

ii)

Bare Boat Charter, and operated

iii) Leased and Operated

iv) Time Chartered (Long Term)
v) Voyage (Work scope duration) Charter
2.4.3
CONTRACTOR shall append technical specifications of the vessels and a general
arrangement drawing, to scale (plans and elevations, preferably to 1:100 or 1:200 scale),
showing all modifications. Vessel data should be provided as per the pro forma in Section
3.5.33. Acoustic noise trial test results (if requested) should also be provided.
2.4.4
CONTRACTOR shall detail the shipboard organisation and responsibilities with
particular reference to Survey / Coring Operations and Vessel interfaces (See 3.4.9 below).
2.4.5
CONTRACTOR shall detail, separately, the
responsibilities, for the operation and support of the vessel.

organisation,

with

relevant

2.4.6
If the vessel in question is not directly operated by CONTRACTOR, then
CONTRACTOR shall give a concise outline of how performance of the vessel in the
ensuing areas will be monitored.
2.4.7
The CONTRACTOR shall identify the ownership of the vessel and identify the
COMPANY by which the vessel is managed and / or manned (if applicable).
2.4.8
In addition the CONTRACTOR shall ensure that clear and unobstructed title to the
vessel exists, free of debts or any constraints which might otherwise prejudice the vessels
ability to fulfil the work as designated.
2.4.9
i)
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CONTRACTORs attention is drawn to the following responsibilities in particular:

Operational Practices and Procedures

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ii)

Operating Procedures

2.4.10 CONTRACTOR shall provide details of the vessels general marine operating
procedures with particular emphasis on these procedures being in a form clearly laid down
for the guidance of the vessels crew.
2.4.11

Equipment Handling

The CONTRACTOR shall provide details of spaces and equipment concerned with the
handling of Survey Equipment.
These should include brief details of the responsibility for the handling of the above
equipment and an outline of the procedures adopted / to be adopted on the vessel in
question. There shall also be evidence that these procedures have been clearly laid down
and brought to the attention of vessels crew and survey CONTRACTORs personnel.
Examination of the lifting and handling equipment concerned with the above work shall
form part of the vessel inspection report.
If repair or examination, of the survey equipment, whilst deployed outboard the vessel, is
part of the CONTRACTORS normal operating procedure, then details of these procedures
along with details of the equipment i.e. inflatable boat, outboard motors, crew safety
equipment, should also be supplied.
2.4.12
i)

Safety Procedures, Emergency Procedures, Certification

The CONTRACTOR shall provide details of the organisation and responsibilities

aboard the vessel with respect to safety and emergency procedures.
These shall include evidence that the vessels owners/managers have a formal and
coherent policy with respect to personal and vessel safety, and that this policy is
communicated to the vessel and survey crew at the commencement of their first tour of
duty aboard the vessel and regularly thereafter.

ii)

When the vessel is audited by the client there should be available evidence of
continuing on board instruction and demonstration in the use of safety and lifesaving
equipment, supported by regular drills and musters.
The vessels lifesaving and firefighting equipment shall be such that it meets in full the
requirements of the vessels country of registry and those of the relevant classification
society, also the requirements of the country in whose waters the vessel will operate.
Details of certification with respect to the firefighting and lifesaving equipment will be
required during any technical audit of the vessel. Additionally, the vessel operator shall
provide details of periodic external inspection of safety equipment by recognised
specialist CONTRACTORs, at the time of audit.

2.4.13

Crew and Manning

COMPANY Policy for Defining and Maintaining Standards of Qualification, Experience and
Fitness shall be followed.
i)

The CONTRACTOR shall provide details of the operating COMPANYs manning and
recruitment criteria with emphasis on the following information:
a) Summary of experience of the vessels crew and potential relieving personnel,
where applicable. This will include, but may not be limited to, the following
information.
b) Length of employment.

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c) Type of certificate and date including CAA and Radio Operators Certificates (UK
certificates to be updated).
d) Details of training courses.
e) Evidence of medical fitness.
f)
ii)

Full curriculum vitae for personnel must be provided to COMPANY for approval.

COMPANY will approve the provision of all offshore or onshore personnel. In the event
that COMPANY disapprove provision of personnel, CONTRACTOR will submit
alternative candidate CV for approval.

iii) Crew and manning levels will be approved by COMPANY during all phases of a
survey. This includes increases and decreases in manning levels.
iv) No CONTRACTOR operational field staff shall remain deployed on a survey for more
than six weeks at a time. All personnel will be monitored for performance and attitude
on a continual basis (e.g. HSE). COMPANY reserve the right to instruct
CONTRACTOR to replace personnel at any time.
v) There shall be clear evidence that adequate minimum standards of crew certification
can be achieved and maintained through any crew changes.
vi) Personnel with HLO and Helicopter communication certification must be available
when a vessels helideck is to be used. (See 3.5.33 below).
vii) If it is intended to perform a relief service by helicopter then all crew and
CONTRACTORS personnel must have attended an approved helicopter survival
course. (See 3.5.33 below).
2.4.14

Maintenance, Planned / Unscheduled and Certification

CONTRACTOR shall provide details of the scheme of maintenance covering all major
items of the vessels plant and machinery.
Propulsion machinery/main engine.
Generating equipment.
Compressors.
Pumps.
Refrigeration and Ancillary equipment.
Micro-biological Contamination of fuel.
Navigation equipment.
Fresh Water Makers.
The above shall include evidence of regular maintenance on, and the testing of emergency
and standby equipment i.e. fire pump, generators, also regular testing of remote safety
devices and shut-offs on the vessels machinery.
CONTRACTOR shall detail whether the above maintenance scheme is on an individual
ship-by-ship basis or whether it is a corporate scheme administered centrally by the
owners and tailored to individual ships. CONTRACTOR shall describe how the scheme
includes ongoing survey work to meet classification society standards.
2.4.15

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Procurement and Supply of Spares and Stores

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CONTRACTOR shall provide details of the system by which orders for spare gear and
stores are initiated on the vessel and processed ashore, also details of any scheme which
exists for expediting the order and delivery of urgently required spares.
CONTRACTOR shall also provide details of the on board system for monitoring levels of
stores and spare gear, if any such methods are implemented by the COMPANY.
2.4.16

Vessel and Management Communications, Operations and Policy

CONTRACTOR shall provide details of any formal communications or reporting structure

between the vessel and shore management, for the purpose of the management of the
vessel in a safe and efficient manner.
The reporting structure should indicate the parties in regular communication and the flow of
information. This shall also show how communications are handled outside office hours, at
weekends and holidays, and indicate what level of management can be contacted in the
latter cases.
2.4.17

Environmental Treatment Equipment

CONTRACTOR shall provide details of the various systems incorporated in the vessel to
minimise environmental disturbance.
i) The vessel should be fitted with an oily water separator, of an approved type, to deal
with oily water and ensure that any water discharged overboard has an oil content
within the specified minimum. If not fitted with an oily water separator please give
details of the method employed to deal with oily water especially bilge water.
ii) Give details of any system on board the vessel to deal with domestic sewage effluent.
iii) Give details of any system for on board disposal of galley and general domestic refuse
i.e. by incineration.
2.5

Vessel Details
2.5.1

Name

2.5.2

Owner

2.5.3

Port of Registry

2.5.4

Flag

2.5.5

Classification Society

2.5.6

Call sign

2.5.7

Official number

2.5.8

Builder and Converter (if applicable).

CONTRACTOR shall provide the date the keel was laid down if it was before 18 July 1982.

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2.5.9

Length (overall)

2.5.10

Beam maximum

2.5.11

Light draught
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2.5.12

Load draught

2.5.13

Moulded depth

2.5.14

G.R.T. under Internal Tonnage Convention Rules

2.5.15

N.R.T. under Internal Tonnage Convention Rules

2.5.16

Main engine

CONTRACTOR shall describe the reliability of the vessels thrusters.

2.5.17

Bow Thruster(s)

2.5.18

Stern Thruster(s)

2.5.19

Generators

i)

CONTRACTOR shall give details of the power generating system on the vessel i.e.
type and number of generators and how the generators are linked to provide any autostart/standby capacity.

ii)

In addition CONTRACTOR shall give details of sources of clean power for navigation
and survey equipment along with any back up facilities.

iii) CONTRACTOR shall provide assurance that the vessel has the capacity to handle all
specialist equipment requirements.
2.5.20 Fuel capacity
2.5.21 Ballast
2.5.22 Potable water capacity
CONTRACTOR shall state the type and capacity of water maker, if fitted.
2.5.23 Compressors
CONTRACTOR shall give details of the number and type of compressors and state if any
back up is available to the normal operating capacity.
2.5.24 Number of berths
CONTRACTOR shall provide an accommodation plan for the vessel and detail
accommodation allocated for clients use.

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2.5.25

Radios (including portable VHF/UHF and airband).

2.5.26

Satellite telephone and fax numbers.

2.5.27

Echo Sounder.

2.5.28

Radars (state if automated plotting or ARPA is available).

2.5.29

Auto Pilots.

2.5.30

Positioning Systems (GPS, Loran, etc).

2.5.31

Cellular telephone for use in coastal waters.

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2.5.32

Endurance

CONTRACTOR shall state the normal daily fuel oil and water consumptions when
operating under design speed steaming and survey conditions.
2.5.33

Helideck.

CONTRACTOR shall state the maximum size of helicopter cleared to use the helideck.
2.5.34

Fast Rescue Craft

Give details of fast rescue craft or any craft provided for survey or vessel operations.
2.5.35

Provide details of on board communications systems

2.5.36

Messing and Recreational Facilities

Detail messing and recreational facilities which may be available on any particular vessel.
2.5.37

Stability Information

Approved stability information to be available with details of stability calculations for the
proposed voyage, to show siting of all additional equipment required for the work scope.
2.6

Minimum Vessel Specification Criteria for Operations

The Survey vessel chosen for the proposed work program shall be capable of performing
all tasks required under weather and sea conditions normally expected in the survey area
at any time of the year. The vessel should have fuel, water and stores sufficient to remain
at sea for a minimum period of thirty days.
For ROV support vessels, the survey vessel shall have Dynamic Positioning with follow
up capability of tracking and following an ROV in DP mode.
2.6.1

Dimensions

Minimum acceptable length overall shall be 50 metres. Beam and draft to be adequate to
give adequate stability in weather conditions expected in the survey area. Whilst the
minimum length criterion is preferred, every vessel will be assessed on its suitability for the
proposed Works.
2.6.2

Machinery

For survey support operations, the vessel shall be twin screw and with bow thrusters, or a
propulsion configuration such that the vessel does not have to anchor, or moor up, to
acquire core samples.
For ROV support the vessel shall be dynamically positioned with follow up mode capability.
A 220 volts AC stabilised instrument power supply, separate from ships services supply,
and capable of coping with initial power surges of survey equipment without disruption to
running systems shall be provided.
A dedicated power supply, for example 415VAC, 3 phase, may be required for specialised
equipment.
2.6.3
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Positioning Equipment
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Preference will be given to vessels equipped with Joystick control to assist with station
keeping during coring operations.
2.6.4

Navigation Equipment

The vessel shall have the following:

i)

Gyro and Magnetic Compass with optional gyro input to the navigation computer.
Bridge wing, or monkey island, repeaters are desirable.

ii)

Marine Radar.

iii) GPS receiver.

iv) Marine Echo Sounder with Hull Mounted Transducer.
v) Auto Pilot.
vi) Bridge Control of Engines and Thrusters.
vii) Doppler Log.
viii) Sextant (for gyrocompass error observations).
2.6.5

Communications

The following communications equipment shall be provided.

i)

Multi channel VHF R/T capable of working all marine frequencies. The VHF R/T shall
have a dual watch facility.

ii)

Cellular phone system with masthead antenna.

iii) In situ voice communication between the bridge, gun shack, the survey room and the
corer / equipment launch area. An acceptable alternative will be the provision of at
least four hand-held walkie-talkie radios each with spare battery pack and charger and
preferably using private channels. In such alternative case the instrument room shall
be fitted with multi channel VHF R/T including the aforementioned private channels.
iv) V-satellite communications system of minimum 128 Kbs with 4 voice channels, a data
channel, and not less than four separate email accounts
v) Visibility to operations decks and stern must be adequate from the bridge or provision
made using close circuit TV monitors.
2.6.6

Accommodation

In addition to the marine crew and requirements for 24 hours working, the vessel shall be
capable of accommodating the appropriate numbers of survey personnel required for the
work.
Laundry facilities are to be available.
Single cabins with en suite bathroom shall be available for the use of up to two COMPANY
Representatives.
Such COMPANY cabin(s) should be fitted to a high standard with generous desk and
drawer space.
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The cleanliness of accommodation and the quality of victualling are to be of high standard.
The COMPANY nominated cabins shall be fitted with 220VAC power supplies for a
portable computer (PC) system.
2.6.7

Survey Operations Room

Sufficient work space on the bridge deck to allow all survey navigation to be carried out
close to the conning position.
2.6.8

Survey Post Processing Room

The vessel shall provide adequate space, facilities and comfort to allow onboard
interpretation of survey records, coring results etc.
There shall be space for safe and tidy stowage of all records and data.
There shall be sufficient room to comfortably allow installation and operation of a AO plotter
which shall be provided by the CONTRACTOR.
A robust A3 / A4 photocopier, suitable for use in a marine environment, shall be available
aboard the vessel.
2.6.9

Deck Equipment

Equipment for the overside handling equipment shall be provided. These equipment shall
be capable of simultaneously handling all survey equipment normally used for survey /
ROV operations.
The deployment and handling system for any corer / vibrocorer shall have a SWL of
sufficient capacity to safely endure the shock loads likely to be encountered when retrieving
coring equipment from the seabed.
There shall be sufficient coring cable suitable for the anticipated water depths in the survey
area (minimum of 1.2 times maximum water depth envisaged plus half a wrap on the drum
plus the distance from the winch barrel to the water line) to be carried.
All lifting appliances and associated wires, shackles and blocks etc. shall be tested and
certified as addressed in Section 2.3.1.
Attention should be paid to the need for a separate generator for specialist equipment /
winches etc. If on deck the model should be suitably silenced.

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