PSV & AHTS Vessel (What’s the main difference between AHTS and PSV?

AHTS or Anchor Handling Tug and Supply vessels renders support services to oil rigs and
platforms. These services include towing the rig structures into location, anchor them up,
supply equipment, stores and provisions. In some cases, AHTS is also required to serve as
ERRV (Emergency Rescue & Recovery Vessel). AHTS differ from Platform Supply
Vessels (PSV's) in that they are fitted with winches for towing and anchor handling,
having an open stern to allow the decking of anchors, and having more power to
increase the bollard pull. The machinery is specifically designed for anchor handling
operations which are not normally found onboard a PSV.

Shark Jaws/Karm Forks (What’s the main function of shark jaw?)

These are special equipment that enhances safety of crew during anchor handling on-board
modern AHTS. The main function is to secure the chain or wire while being worked.

Dynamic Positioning (What does the DP system use?)

Dynamic positioning (DP) is a computer-controlled system to automatically maintain a

vessel's position and heading by using her own propellers and thrusters. Position reference
sensors, combined with wind sensors, motion sensors and gyro compasses, provide
information to the computer pertaining to the vessel's position and the magnitude and
direction of environmental forces affecting its position

Azimuth Thruster and CPP

Controllable Pitch Propeller (How does the CPP change thrust?)

A controllable pitch propeller is a propeller where the angle of the blades (pitch) is changed
to generate thrust contrasting to the traditional propulsion where the engine speed or direction
is altered for speed variation/ astern propulsion. The above forms a single propulsion unit
thruster. More than one thruster is used in combination on a vessel to maintain
Commercial Department (What is the function of the commercial department?)

Marketing of the company’s fleet is undertaken by the Commercial Department. The

department negotiates the chartering terms amongst which include the charter duration, the
charter rates, termination notice, victualing and other related costs. These chartering terms are
specifically spelt out in the charter party document.

HSSE Department (In a safety procedure…to which department?)

A department which is generally responsible for ensuring good and safe practices onboard the
company’s fleet of vessels. The main function is to brief and give instructions to the officers
and crew about the company’s corporate policies on health, safety and environmental
protection regulations. These regulations are usually congruent to the international and
national regulations applicable to the area of operations. These include SOLAS and
MARPOL regulations. Additional function of the department is to perform internal audits on
a regular basis and solicit regular feedbacks from the shipboard personnel. The HSSE
manager endeavours to continually improve the crew working conditions onboard the vessels.
Any near misses or incident onboard the company’s vessels will be reported to the
department for further investigation. The result of the investigating will be subsequently
circulated to educate the all crew, thus preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.

Driller (What’s the function of the driller?)

The assistant driller is the first-level supervisory job. He supervises all the roughnecks and
works directly with the driller to ensure smooth operation of the well.

The upper supervisory positions are the driller and the rig supervisor (toolpusher). The driller
operates the drill motor and acts as the primary on-scene decision-maker on the rig floor. He
directs the actions of the assistant driller, motorman, derrickman and roughnecks to ensure
smooth rig operations. He also determines the speed and pressure of the drill bit, which
determines how fast the the tool gets pushed into the hole.

In charge of drillfloor, drill crews, well progress and reports to the Toolpushers
Second Officer (What is the role of the second officer?)

Second Officer is also called the Second Mate, known as navigating officer. His main duties
include the upkeep of all charts and publications, prepare passage planning and plotting of
courses for the voyage in consultation with the Master, Junior navigating officer, operates
Fast Rescue Craft, keep watch during cargo operations and a fire team leader.

Boatswain (Bosun) (What is the bosun?)

Boatswain ranks as a Petty Officer. He is the charge hand of the deck rating. He supervises
all aspects of maintenance work on deck.

OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) (What is OCIMF?)

The OCIMF is a voluntary association of oil companies and terminals. It was formed in
London, 1970 as a response by the oil industry to increasing public awareness of marine
pollution by oil, after the “Torres Canyon” incident. Subsequently, OCIMF has been
responsible for the publication of Guidelines for marine activities for both upstream and
downstream oil industries. It also actively represent its members at IMO. At the request of
OCIMF members, the OVID (Offshore Vessel Inspection Database) was developed. It is a
voluntary system of inspection for ships/units engaged in the offshore industries. Main
components of OVID are the inspection document, the OVIQ (Offshore Vessel Inspection
Questionnaire) and OVPQ (Offshore Vessel Particulars Questionnaire).

DP IMO Class (What is DP IMO class 3?)

In terms of DP capability, vessels can be categorised as follows: -

Manual position control and automatic heading control under specified maximum
environmental conditions

IMO Class 1 - Automatic and manual position and heading control under specified
maximum environmental conditions

IMO Class 2 - Automatic and manual position and heading control under specified maximum
environmental conditions, during and following any single fault excluding loss of a
compartment. (Two independent computer systems).

IMO Class 3 - Automatic and manual position and heading control under specified
maximum environmental conditions, during and following any single fault including loss of a
compartment due to fire or flood. (At least two independent computer systems with a separate
backup system separated by A60 class division).

ROV (What is ROV? How to control the ROV?)

Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle Remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROVs) is

the common accepted name for tethered underwater robots in the offshore industry. ROVs are
unoccupied, highly manoeuvrable and operated by a person aboard a vessel. They are linked
to the ship by a tether (sometimes referred to as an umbilical cable), a group of cables that
carry electrical power, video and data signals back and forth between the operator and the
vehicle. High power applications will often use hydraulics in addition to electrical cabling.
Most ROVs are equipped with at least a video camera and lights. Additional equipment is
commonly added to expand the vehicle’s capabilities. These may include sonars,
magnetometers, a still camera, a manipulator or cutting arm, water samplers, and instruments
that measure water clarity, light penetration and temperature.

Basic features on an ROV include:

1. Thrusters - so the ROV will be able to reposition and navigate.

2. Cameras and/or Hydrophones (underwater microphones) - so the crew stationed at the

control centre will be able to see and, in some cases, hear what is going on.

3. Various Sensors - depending on the applications, ROVs can be equipped with many
different sensors such as water temperature sensors, depth sensors and sonar.
Technical Department (What is the function of the technical department?)

This department collaborates with the vessels’ engineers pertaining to technical matters.
Generally, it encompasses the maintenance and servicing of ship’s main engines, generators
and other auxiliary machineries. Newer offshore support vessels are installed with modern
and sophisticated navigational system and manoeuvring gear such as the DP and azimuth
propellers. It is pertinent that the company employs knowledgeable former ship marine
engineers to manage the technical department.

Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (What is PSSR course?)

The course gives basic induction training in safety procedures and accident prevention and
familiarises new seafarers with employment and working conditions aboard. It is a
classroom-based course.

NI (Nautical Institute) (What is NI?)

The Nautical Institute is the international professional body for qualified seafarers and others
with an interest in nautical matters. It provides a wide range of services to enhance the
professional standing and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sectors of the
maritime world.

The main aim of NI is to provide the strongest possible professional focus, dedicated to
improving standards of those in control of seagoing craft, while maintaining the Institute as
an international centre of nautical excellence.

Nautical Institute membership is open to all nationalities - in grades appropriate to

qualifications. The benefits of joining the Institute are many and include professional
recognition, receipt of regular and up-to-date information.

NI is one of the 2 recognised international bodies that provide approval or endorsement to

internationally accepted DP Courses. The other recognised body is Norwegian Maritime
Directorate
Deployment of Anchor (How do you deploy anchor using chaser system?)

Deployment of anchor process normally follows the prescribed sequence:

1. AHTS backs up to about within 50m from rig, platform or barge.

2. Retrieve PCP from the rig, platform or barge. Connect PCP to work wire.

3. Deck the anchor – hauling of anchor on deck from the rig’s bolster using work wire winch.

4. AHTS vessel then steam towards the designated anchor position.

5. Anchor is subsequently lowered into water and finally laid onto the sea bed using the PCP.

6. AHTS strip the PCP back to rig, platform or barge.

Departments in Offshore Company (Explain 5 important departments in an offshore company)

Commercial Department

Marketing of the company’s fleet is undertaken by the Commercial Department. The department
negotiates the chartering terms amongst which include the charter duration, the charter rates,
termination notice, victualing and other related costs. These chartering terms are specifically spelt out
in the charter party document.

Crew Department

This department is solely responsible for the recruitment and deployment of crewmembers onboard
the company’s vessels or mobile platforms. There has been a recent trend of sourcing for shipboard
crew from employment agencies specialising in the oil and gas industry. Recruitment process usually
includes verification of an officer’s or a crewmember’s competency and relevant experiences suitable
to the appropriate job position. It is essential for companies to employ skilled and experienced officers
and crew. This is to ensure that a high level of safety is maintained onboard the vessels or platform,
hence reducing the risks of any incident. The department also looks into the training requirements of
officers and crew. Collaboration with the HSSE Department may be necessary in the areas of HSSE-
related training.
Operations Department

The Operations Department oversees the operational aspects of the fleet of vessels. This includes the
monitoring of new deliveries, following-up on defects, official documents processing, flag state
registration as well as equipping of life-saving and fire-fighting appliances. The department is usually
the contact point to the charterer and is therefore, responsible to ensure that the vessel is in every
aspect meets the charterer’s requirements.

Technical Department

This department collaborates with the vessels’ engineers pertaining to technical matters. Generally, it
encompasses the maintenance and servicing of ship’s main engines, generators and other auxiliary
machineries. Newer offshore support vessels are installed with modern and sophisticated navigational
system and manoeuvring gear such as the DP and azimuth propellers. It is pertinent that the company
employs knowledgeable former ship marine engineers to manage the technical department.

HSSE Department

A department which is generally responsible for ensuring good and safe practices onboard the
company’s fleet of vessels. The main function is to brief and give instructions to the officers and crew
about the company’s corporate policies on health, safety and environmental protection regulations.
These regulations are usually congruent to the international and national regulations applicable to the
area of operations. These include SOLAS and MARPOL regulations. Additional function of the
department is to perform internal audits on a regular basis and solicit regular feedbacks from the
shipboard personnel. The HSSE manager endeavours to continually improve the crew working
conditions onboard the vessels. Any near misses or incident onboard the company’s vessels will be
reported to the department for further investigation. The result of the investigating will be
subsequently circulated to educate the all crew, thus preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.
MODU Personnel (MODU personnel?)

- OIM (Offshore Installation Manager)

- Deputy OIM
- Company man
- Toolpusher
- Driller
- Derrickhand
- Roughneck (or Ruffneck)
- Roustabouts
- Mud engineer
- Dynamic Positioning Operator
- Second Mate
- Third Mate
- Ballast Control Operator
- Crane operator

Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) (List and
Explain 4 courses under BOSIET)

This course is approved by OPITO (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization) attended by
personnel prior to joining a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit.

Four main areas are included in the course:

1. Introduction to offshore safety

2. Helicopter safety and escape training

3. Sea survival training

4. Fire-fighting and self-rescue

Introduction to Offshore Safety

The main topics covered in this course mainly include:

- Overview of offshore oil and gas activities and various types of installations;

- Offshore hazards and comparative degrees of risks, protection and mitigation means;

- Discussion of environmental issues such as waste disposal and oil spills;

- Organisation structure, functional roles and responsibilities in terms of safety;

- Safety management system, offshore legislation, permit to work systems;

- Medical and health fitness standards, substance abuse;

- Living offshore, working routines, injuries and illness;

- Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements;

- Procedure for reporting incidents, accidents and near-misses;

- The role of the medic.

Sea Survival Training

Generally, this course familiarises the participants on the procedures of evacuation via the
lifeboat/liferaft and rendering assistance to fellow survivors.

- Immediate first aid actions including the ‘ABC’ (airway, breathing, circulation);

- Lifejacket use in an emergency;

- Mustering, boarding and role as a passenger in a totally enclosed motor propelled survival
craft (TEMPSC);

- Correct fitting of a helicopter rescue strop and body posture during winching.
Fire-fighting and Self Rescue

In this session, participants will learn the various types of extinguishers and its uses. They
will also get to experience in evacuating from an enclosed area that is on fire.

Topics covered are:

- Use of appropriate hand-held portable fire extinguishers, fire hose reels and fire blankets;

- Self-rescue techniques with smoke hood or escape type breathing apparatus;

- Small group escape techniques with a smoke hood from areas where visibility is completely
obscured.

The training programme is intended for bridge watchkeepers who are already qualified by
means of a certificate of competency as a deck officer. The training programme comprises
five phases, as follows:

Helicopter Safety and Escape Training (HUET) (What is the function of HUET?)

HUET is a specialised training mainly to equip participants with the skill of evacuating safely from a
ditched helicopter.

- Donning a transit-type survival suit and aviation lifejacket;

- Preparing for helicopter ditching and emergency landings;

- Actions following controlled emergency descent on to dry land and water;

- Partial submersion of aircraft and capsizing in water;

- Use of emergency breathing systems (EBS).

How to get DP Qualifications (What is the process of getting DP qualifications?)

1. Completion of a DP Induction Course. This is a shore-based course using DP simulation

training equipment. Duration four to five days, with a course certificate issued on completion;

2. Seagoing familiarisation of a minimum of one month. The trainee DPO spends a month
understudying a qualified DPO in a vessel engaged in DP operations;

3. Completion of a DP Simulator Course. Advanced shore-based training using a variety of

scenarios built around the simulator. Again, four to five days with a course certificate issued
on completion;

4. Completion of six months' supervised DP watchkeeping in Class 2 or 3 DP vessels, or

longer on Class 1 vessels and at least two months on Class 2 or 3 vessels;

5. Assessment of the abilities of the candidate by the Master of the vessel, then
documentation forwarded to the Nautical Institute in London for the issue of the DPO
certificate.

Additionally, a limited DP certificate is available under the Nautical Institute scheme wherein
the fourth stage includes six months' DP experience on Class 1 DP vessels with a statement
of suitability from the Master.