Offshore wind transport vessels relax rules

If you’re of a certain vintage, you may recall reading signs on double decker buses which stated seating capacity downstairs and upstairs and standing numbers. The HSEQ-360 team reckon that number permitted to stand was 12 – but do correct us if we’re wrong. 

It was in the days too before OMO buses arrived – One Man Operated – and the bus conductor assiduously collected fares and kept an eye on behaviour and capacity. 

By a curious stroke of symmetry (assuming 12 is accurate, of course), news is just breaking that offshore wind transport vessels are having capacity raised from 12 to 60. Sitting, not standing though.

Some of the main types of offshore support vessels are:

  • Anchor Handling Tug Vessel (AHTV)
  • Seismic Vessel
  • Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs)
  • Well Intervention Vessel
  • Accommodation Ships

If you’re a visual learner, this video may be of interest too:

Prior to this rule change, regardless of vessel size, 12 was the legal maximum which may seem odd. Now though, it’s grown by 5 times (we know the word quadrupled, but not the word for 5 times) to 60.

Why?

Well, firstly, the offshore wind industry in the UK, as well as globally, is on a bit of a surge. With new wind farms being developed, the High Speed Offshore Service Crafts need to carry more personnel.

Secondly, carrying 60 staff at a time reduces energy costs for offshore companies. 1 trip effectively replaces 5 and that is good for the environment. 

Thirdly, offshore staff are treated differently to other people as they are required to be fit, undertaken specialist marine and survival training. So the risks are lower carrying 60 specialist offshore passengers.

Finally, these new rules bring the UK Offshore industry into line with global companies, as 

Gwilym Stone, Assistant Director, Ship Standards at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency states: 

“This legislation helps to support innovation and growth in the offshore energy sector without compromising on safety.

“There are currently around 46 vessels of this type operating in UK waters, this new legislation provides legal clarity to the offshore wind farm industry to carry workers to and from wind farms dependent on each individual vessels’ capacity. This brings the UK in line with many other countries that already have similar regulations in place.”

Following a 6 week consultation last summer, these new rules are now enshrined in law. 

What do you think of these changes? 

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