On September 17^th in Aberdeen, Reflex Marine Ltd teamed up with the UK HSE and Sparrows Offshore Services to give a seminar on crane transfers and safely moving people offshore.  

All crew transfers, whether performed by boat and crane or by helicopter, are potentially high risk. Crane transfers are essential for the offshore industry providing operators with an important logistical and emergency response tool.  This unique training event covered the following key topics:

• A review of the key risks of crane transfers
• An update on new legislative guidelines by the UK HSE (2007)
• An overview of crane compliance by Sparrows Offshore
• Safe crane transfer practice – attendees were able to gain first-hand experience on a crane simulator and with a full scale offshore crane.

The event consisted of a mix of theory and practical demonstrations aimed at challenging the myths and truths surrounding crane based transfers, and take the opportunity to look at specific North Sea issues.  There was also an overview of the importance of crane transfer as an operational tool - as well as being commonly used for crew transfers, they can provide important flexibility to deal with operational problems (e.g. fog and aviation shut downs) and for managing emergencies, such as med-evac and emergency / contingency down-manning.  Modest investments and changes in operational practices can provide the dual benefit of safer and more flexible operations. 

Feedback from the event has been very positive, highlighting the need to bring the topic of personnel transfer in to the forefront. Reflex Marine Ltd will be hosting a similar event in the New Year.

The presentations give by UK HSE, Sparrows Offshore & Reflex Marine are avialable for download below: