A network for commercial divers about commercial diving.

By Johnny Wilson

As jobs dry up on land, more people are looking to offshore work to make a living.

Before they can, however, they must pass a three-day basic offshore survival induction emergency training (Bosiet) course. Read the rest of this entry »

A new document produced by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is designed to assist with the ongoing competence of first aid personnel onboard vessels.

‘First Aid and Other Emergency Drills’ (IMCA C 013), the new publication, is not a guidance document, instead it sets out a range of first aid and other emergency drills which members can use onboard their vessels as part of on-the-job training for all personnel – not just appointed first aiders. Read the rest of this entry »

SAFETY ALERT NO. 207:  BROKEN DECK WINCH FOOTINGS

Country: null

Location: —

Release Date: —

Time incident occurred: —

Type of Activity: Lifting, crane, rigging, deck operations

Type of Injury: Struck by

Function: null

Applicabale Filter Categories: Struck by,Structural failure (offshore),System/Equipment failure

A vessel had been fitted with two deck winches to assist in diver operations. Both had been subjected to 3rd party load and 3rd party NDT testing on the sea-fastenings just a few days prior to the incident.

While one of the winches was being used to help orientate a load that was being swung out over the side of the vessel, it came off its footings and the short length of flexible air hose connecting it to the LP air ring-main parted, catching the winch operator under the arm and lacerating it severely.

The winch operator very calmly collected burning gear, which had been laid out ready to hand in case of need, and severed the winch wire to prevent the winch going overboard. He then was told to go to the sick-bay for treatment by a deck colleague who came to assist, and was subsequently medivaced to the beach for hospital treatment. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week’s deadly helicopter crash off Newfoundland has renewed discussion about the effectiveness of safety measures in the offshore oil industry.

One person survived and 17 others were killed last Thursday when a Cougar Helicopters aircraft crashed into the ocean about 65 kilometres southeast of St. John’s. The helicopter had been taking workers to offshore oil platforms when it went down. Read the rest of this entry »

Survival rates for people in Canadian helicopters that have crashed into water over the past three decades are the same as those around the world, a report published last year determined.

There were 46 civilian helicopters registered in this country that ditched in water from 1979 to 2006, resulting in 27 deaths among the 124 passengers and crew, according to an article published in the October issue of Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. Read the rest of this entry »

Chris Allen, Oil & Gas UK’s health, safety and environment director, said:

“Oil & Gas UK applauds all those excellent people involved in the swift and safe rescue of all on board the Super Puma that ditched in the North Sea last night (Wednesday 18 February 2009).

Read the rest of this entry »