Do you store your unit safely when not in use?

Our Engineering Manager explains how to store your personnel transfer carrier to ensure it remains fit for use.

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  Reflex Marine’s personnel transfer carriers are made of durable materials and designed to cope with harsh offshore conditions. However, it is important to protect and maintain the unit when not in use to ensure it remains fit for use when needed.  

  – Paul Onions, Engineering Manager

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HOW TO STORE A UNIT WHEN NOT IN USE:

FROG, FROG-XT, WAVE-4 or TORO:

Your personnel transfer carrier should be stored under a weatherproof cover when not in use to protect it from any hazardous elements and UV degradation. The weatherproof cover is part of standard accessories kit and can be purchased from Reflex Marine. The unit should also be regularly washed with fresh water.

(1) Wire rope lifting assembly:

! The wire rope lifting assembly ‘sling’ is the most safety critical and vulnerable component in the whole unit assembly.

• Protect the wire rope lifting assembly from corrosion from sea spray and moisture build-up by storing it on the floor grating of the FROG or WAVE carrier.
• When not in use for long periods the lifting assembly should be removed from the FROG and stored in a secure, dry place (remember to remove the weather-protective cover when placing the lifting assembly in storage).

(2) Seat harnesses:

• Clean regularly with fresh water and a mild detergent to prevent deterioration.
• When stored, the harnesses should be fastened so that they do not flap in the wind.

Look out for signs of damage (fraying and brittle webbing weave) and replace when damaged.

(3) Seat damping springs:

• Wash down with fresh water on regular occasions to protect from sea spray effects.
• Inspect the springs regularly - specific inspection recommendations for springs can be found in the inspection checklist in your User Manual (available to download here).
• Protective grease may be used to coat springs to reduce the onset of corrosion.

(4) Landing feet:

• When the carrier is stored for long periods of time, it is recommended that the unit is chocked (raised) to elevate the feet from the deck.
• Any chocks used should be of appropriate material to ensure no damage or corrosion contamination takes place. They should also fit properly underneath the main base frame to ensure that any exposed bolt heads on the unit do not impinge.

Transport and vibration:

• For longer periods of storage in an environment with vibration, and when equipment is transported, the threaded fixings on the unit should be inspected before use to ensure no slackening has occurred.

Before your device is put into service again,  a competent person should check ALL key areas of the unit.

Would you like to carry out Inspection & Maintenance
of your carriers in-house?

Reflex Marine offer a range of training courses to help you maintain your units and/or improve the safety and efficiency of your crew transfer operations.

Personnel transfer equipment is an integral part of your operational program and as such should always be included in the installation’s planned maintenance programme and regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with OEM recommendations.

Reflex Marine are here to help with further support, recommendations on I&M procedures, information on accessories and replacement parts.

If you have any questions, get in touch by emailing: operations@reflexmarine.com or calling (+44) 1872 32 11 55.