Personnel Transfer by Crane

Joe Megeed – Technical Adviser (Engineering)

Personnel Transfer by Crane

Where and why is it taking place?

• But let’s discuss the scope of this

presentation first…

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• This presentation excludes any discussions with Off-shore Platform

operations

• It is noted that there are some lessons to be learned from the off-shore

industry

• The focus will be on the use of mid-ship hose handling cranes and not

the use of stores cranes

• OCIMF Paper: In addition to the crane, the paper to be published in

2016 will address:

• Personnel Hazard Identification

• Risk Assessments

• Crew Competence

Scope

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• Many areas around the globe are currently engaged in the

transfer of personnel by cranes between vessels

– United States, Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic Coast

– Brazil

– Japan

– Korea

– Panama

– Aruba

– Bahamas

– West Africa, Angola FPSO operations

• STS operations are becoming more frequent

– Lack of subsea piping, FPSO Ship

– SHIP ship Port access & draft restrictions

• What options are available and what do the operations look

like?

Where and why is it taking place?

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• Pilot Ladder

• Gangway

• Helicopter – Landing or Winching

• Crane

What options are available?

Personnel Transfer by Crane

Pilot Ladder

Personnel Transfer by Crane

Gangway

Personnel Transfer by Crane

Helicopter

Personnel Transfer by Crane

Crane

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• There are several reasons why a company may choose to transfer

personnel by crane

– Mooring Masters or STS Superintendents

– Cargo Surveyors

– Embarking Crew, Technicians or Company Required Personnel

– Government Officials

• Prior to any of these taking place a company should risk assess the

situation and determine that personnel transfer by crane has been

evaluated to be the safest means (subject to local regulations)

Where and why is it taking place?

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• Currently few documents for ship-to-ship transfer of personnel for

tankers exist

– OCIMF Ship to Ship Transfer Guide, 2013

– The Standard, Standard Safety, Personnel Transfer Using Ship’s

Crane, 2010

– West of England, Loss Prevention Bulletin

– Class

• ABS

• DNV-GL

• Lloyds Register

• Others

Existing Papers & Guidance

Personnel Transfer by Crane

Industry needs clarity

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• OCIMF Position

– It is recommended that transfer of personnel between ships is kept to

an absolute minimum.

– If the transfer of personnel is unavoidable, the safest means of transfer

should be verified by a risk assessment.

– Many national authorities, maritime authorities, and flags have their

own requirements pertaining to lifting of persons and these must be

followed.

• Why is OCIMF creating a paper on Personnel Transfer?

– Membership request for guidance (clarity)

– No SOLAS requirements exist

– Recognition of limited guidance for ship to ship transfers

– Recognition that despite a company position and desire to not transfer

by crane there should be some guidance for our membership/industry

should they elect to do so

– Strive to elevate the safety standard of our industry

OCIMF’s Forthcoming Paper, Q1 2016

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• Class Guidance

– Each major class society has guidance

• Class Requirements

– Limiting rated loads for personnel transfer

– Increased SF on wire ropes

– Positive locking mechanisms for hooks

– Braking requirements, secondary systems that are independent

– Cylinders, redundancy

– Mode selection, cargo vs personnel transfer

– Power failure protection

– Emergency means of recovery from any position

– Operational weather limitations

– List is not exhaustive & each class may be different

OCIMF’s understanding of Class Positions

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• Class Notations

– Crane Register Certificate (CRC)

– CRC(I)

– CRANE

• Notations are for entire vessel, not crane specific

• Is there a need to consider crane specific notations for man riding?

– OCIMF recognizes that some class societies are actively considering

and engaging with clients

• Unified Requirement needed?

– Clarity and standardization is viewed mutually beneficial for class,

clients, and shipyards

OCIMF’s understanding of Class Positions

Personnel Transfer by Crane

• OCIMF guidance document will benefit any ship operator with personnel transfers by crane

taking into account

– Cranes & Equipment

– Hazard Identification

– Crew Competency

– Best Practices

– Checklists

• Can IACS assist with a UR, Recommendations and/or specific ISM Code guidance

addressing Personnel Transfer Operational Guidance/Training focus on crane and

personnel transfer practices?

• Personnel Transfer by Crane needs to be evaluated by each company

– Risks and associated consequences

– Are there safer means?

– Ability to wait for calmer weather?

In Closing

A Voice for Safety

OCIMF.com

Oil Companies International Marine Forum

29 Queen Anne's Gate, London, SW1H 9BU

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7654 1200

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7654 1205