We’re showcasing WAVE-4 for the first time to the oil and gas industry at the Offshore Energy conference and exhibition, Amsterdam, October 25 and 26. Come and see us at stand 5.031.
Whether from ship to ship, vessel to platform or vessel to jack-up, transferring people safely and efficiently is an essential part of operations in the offshore industry.Millions of transfers are performed by air and sea each year and historically this has been one of the greatest risk areas for personnel offshore. Traditionally, the primary means of transferring crew offshore was helicopter, mainly for speed and relative comfort in comparison to marine transfer. However helicopter transfers statistically carry a far greater risk.
Risk assessments based on latest published data for offshore helicopter operations worldwide (oil and gas production (OGP) 2009) estimates the average individual risk in helicopter transfer was approximately a one in 400,000 chance of fatality. Compare that to the current individual risk estimate for crane transfer operations of approximately one in 5 million.
For more than 40 years, basic equipment, such as swing ropes and collapsible baskets, were the main alternatives to helicopters. Even with clear evidence that safety and efficiency could readily be improved, an industry culture around these methods meant that change was slow.
But attitudes and perceptions are altering, the benefits of marine transfer are becoming clearer and operators are appreciating the latest flexibility and safety benefits available.
Over the past 20 years, Reflex Marine has become recognised as a global leader in marine access solutions. Its carriers are used in more than 1 million safe personnel transfers a year. In fact, for the past six years, there have been no lost time incidents recorded for transfers using our devices.
Traditionally, our focus has been on providing seated or, in the case of a medevac, stretcher-based solutions for passengers through our industry-leading FROG and TORO carriers.
However, our new carrier, WAVE-4, is our first product for standing passengers, offering a safe and low cost transfer solution for operations in relatively calm sea states.
WAVE-4 captures over 20 years of learning, experience and feedback from the industry and is the only standing passenger carrier to offer protection from the four key risk categories of crane-based transfers: falling, heavy landing, side impacts and immersion.
Easy to operate and offering the smallest footprint of any rigid basket (1800mmx1800mm) WAVE-4 reduces both deck space requirements and shipping costs and has a simple maintenance schedule.
With a focus on quality and safety, WAVE-4’s durable and ergonomic design includes stainless steel ribs and buoyancy panels for collision protection, shock-absorbing feet for heavy landings, contoured buoyancy panels and secure passenger positioning to protect against falls and is self righting and floating in case of immersion.
Clear exits allow for rapid entry and exit, with excellent spatial awareness and deck visibility. WAVE-4 also provides overhead protection and a luggage basket for carry on bags.
In case of a medevac or rapid response, WAVE-4 has an IV hook up facility to secure a drip and maintain support during the transfer. Casualties are carried in a raised position, improving their sense of security and comfort, while there is also space for a medic to reassure and monitor during the transfer. A fast, slide-in stretcher is secured in under two minutes.
And, like all our products, WAVE-4 is subjected to the most rigorous testing of any transfer carrier in the industry.
WAVE-4 is a welcome addition to Reflex Marine’s full range of transfer carriers. Whatever the sea state, crew volumes or client preferences, we offer the safe solution for your people.
