A look into the

future for
BSS
1970 Saturation Diving comes of age
No Significant change 1979
Systems keep getting
bigger, …but not really smarter

Some improvements are made:

Digital outputs Analysers

Digital depth indicating
New Millennium
Why not look at
Digital

Fly by wire (FBW)

Computer assisted
 What is becoming available
Analogue operated digital assisted

Digital operated servo assisted (FBY)

FBW Computer assisted Digital Input (DI)

FBW (DI) Computer to Programmable logic components (PLC)

FBW (DI) to PLC with feedback to user

FBW (DI) (PLC) Serial Bus, Server, Ethernet

FBL Ethernet to internet / satellite control (team view)

What would be needed to make this work?

Paradigm shift in the industry

Handing some level of control over to computers

Understanding human error as a failure mode

Developing levels of redundancy

Learn from other disciplines i.e. Aviation

The Race had Started
2007
 • “For Skandi Arctic it was felt desirable to
move to full automation.

• Industrial PLCs and SCADA, “We wanted

to build on this experience by
Press Release embracing full automation, which
meant embracing the internationally
New build recognised standard IEC 61508.

• For the first time, therefore, Divex

applied PLC/SCADA to the following
systems and integrated their functions:
• SDC launch and recovery
• gas management;
• environmental control;
• diver gas reclaim;
• diver heating;
• hyperbaric monitoring and control.
 In the same time period the
Constructor had already:

Completed the system FAT

Completed the FMECA and Sea Trials

and in 2010 was working in Denmark

 Similarities

Computer integrated operating systems

PLC Controlled services
Technologically Complicated

Differences
Level of sophistication. Constructor Higher
Manufacturer Proven technologies (HAUX)
No Media hype
 What the Constructor had:

Analogue Operates as a conventional sat system

Analogue Operated digital assisted

FBW (Fly By Wire) Computer assisted Digital Input (DI)

FBW (DI) Computer to PLC

FBW (DI) to PLC Feedback to user (Automatic i.e. autopilot)

FBW (DI) (PLC) Serial Bus, Server, Ethernet (Link to service)

New look Control Rooms
Constructor
Constructor
That was the process followed by Seatec with the Constructor.

It was implemented Noordhoek BV and the vessel went to

work in 2010
The Constructor arrived in Rotterdam in Jan/Feb 2010. (Bare boat), the system was
installed and SEA trials / Acceptance was done in May . In June 2010 she was working for
Maersk in Denmark

Equipment space

Chamber Flat
2009

Arrive at Haux to start

R2D2? bell

Load Test

Morning meeting in Ch2

1st thought. “What the @#$*”

2009

Training
 2013

Skandi Arctic has an Incident

INCIDENT Lessons Learned in the Industry
22nd of June 2013, DSV Skandi Arctic.
The outcome of the incident was made public domain, so that the industry could learn of the possible
shortcomings of PLC systems controlling human habitable spaces, and how to avoid this happening
again. EXTRACT
• It is clear that in the future the use of PLC dive systems and the number of
dive systems reliant on them is only going to increase.

• The diving industry as a whole knows little about the implications and
impact these developments may have.

• It appears that most of the information and operational experience is held

by just a few companies and trained personnel.

• There seems to be very little guidance available about how they work, how
to audit/monitor the systems and the consequences of failure.

• Recent incidents have only emphasised this point

Constructor System
Configuration
Operating Modes for the System

• Computerised systems with levels of redundancy

• Computer Autonomous When required /Normal operation

• Computer Manual Input Normal operation . (Back up level 1)

• PLC operated Touch pad. No pc required. (Back up level 2)

• Analogue Controls (Back up level 3)

• * Note. In Backup level 3 the chambers are operated like a normal sat system
 System Control management
The BUS system Two independently working
systems
Transfers data to and from the PLCs for For safety reasons the BUS system consists
of two independently working systems:

• 2 BUS computers with monitors:

• controlling
• BUS-DDC2-server
• monitoring and • BUS-DDC1-client
• reporting of operational functions • 4 Secondary operating panels connected
The next slides shows a Simple
Operation Gas In and gas Out
 Constructor Deep Star 2000
Sat Control
Pressurisation and Exhaust System
Star Valve
Controller Bus 1
Bus 2
HMI
PLC
Touch Control Decomat
Normal operating PC
Mode from SAT Star System
Deep Star
Control Automatic
2000

(auto Pilot) CH 1
Decompression etc. CH 2

Exhaust Gas supplies

1 and 2
 Constructor Deep Star 2000 Sat Control
Pressurisation and Exhaust System
Star Valve
Controller Bus 1
Bus 2
HMI
PLC
Touch Control Decomat
PC
Normal Mode Manual Star System
Deep Star Manual and PC
operation from Sat Control. 2000

In this mode of operation CH 1

there are various CH 2
redundancy options
available

Exhaust Gas supplies

1 and 2
 Constructor Deep Star 2000
Pressurisation and Exhaust System HMI
Touch Control
PLC

The operator controls

Deep Star
The chamber depth 2000
From the HMI panel
CH 1
Sat control removed completely, CH 2
all systems and control are fully
functional and controlled by
HMI touch pad

Exhaust Gas supplies

1 and 2
 Constructor Deep Star 2000
Pressurisation and Exhaust System

Deep Star
2000
Total system failure
No Sat Control, No HMI, No PLC’s
No Power……… Only now is the CH 1
system operated like a normal
saturation system with valves, gauges CH 2
and portable analysers.

All sat systems are equal,

…… but some are more Exhaust Gas supplies
equal than others. 1 and 2
Star Valves. Gas in and out with 1 PLC controlled
valve to Computer for input

Manual control gas in / out

A very basic look at some systems
On board the Constructor
Some Constructor Control room software
Other Similar Hardware
and Software
 Some Questions?
What level of experience and training is required by operators:

• To come onboard as a LST or LSS

• To operate this system
• To fault find electronic / software to hardware failure
• To rectify and control emergency situations with this equipment
• Write procedures to operate and control this system
• Train LST/LSS’s on this system
• Review and apply data captured from this system for review or use.
• Lease with Manufacturer / supplier and check that the work they have
done is correct and operating properly.
• Password guardians for subsystems in the data sub sets (Re calibrating etc)
• Passwords give access to many systems.
• Identify that the FMECA does not cover these shortcomings.
• List is extensive.
 What the system is
The constructor is not a large system, but is technologically cutting edge even if
you compare her to the current newbuilds.

What they are fitting as hardware modules, we have as software onboard.

Monitoring, Video, entertainment are on par with what Fathoms can offer now.
Chambers have:

TV, Media server, Quad screen with Diver 1, Diver 2, Bell internal and
ROV. (Any picture on the vessel can be routed to them)
Internet and a share drive to receive dive plans and any drawings etc for
the dive.
WIFI.

Data recording of every diver, and every dive or saturation. (Since Day 1)
All gassed online, backup or Bibs is displayed for O2 content.
Depth, gas read out etc can all be changed to imperial or many other conversion
types.
 General Crewing Structure
Original Training
Originally 2 Deep Star Training Facilitators (LSS). 1 remaining

2 X LSS, 1 X Supervisor, 1 X OCM. - HAUX Factory trained, FAT, Installation on

vessel, FMECA and acceptance trials.

1 X System Technician – FAT, Installation on vessel, FMECA and acceptance trials.

2 X Technicians, 2 X Supervisors, 4 X LST (3 accepted), 4 ALST – Installation on

vessel, FMECA and acceptance trials

Balance trained by facilitators.

 HAUX Training
Vessel Familiarisation

2010
HAUX Training
Vessel Familiarisation

2015
HAUX Training
Vessel Familiarisation

2019
Control of the chamber system can best be described as "Fly By Wire" whereby
DDC, pressurisation, Oxygen make-up and environmental control is managed by
a central computers and Human Machine Interface (HMI) touch screens via
Programmable Logistic Controllers (PLC's) operating electro magnetic valve
drivers
No pipe runs or valving are present within the saturation control room - However
the system operates a "triple" redundancy" capability whereby each chamber has a
fully independent duplication PLC control console located at the environmental
control life support skid plus manual control of all valves.
All DDC environmental monitoring, Temperature, Humidity, Oxygen percentage,
and gas make-up together with "switchable" electrical power management,
readings are electronically displayed to the Programmable Logistic Controllers
(PLC) Human Machine Interface (HMI) screen .
The control of each chamber together with individual bunk lighting and light intensity.
Plus the chamber environment system controls together with various alarms are also
managed at the PLC HMI Screen: