MSS Marine Safety Systems has developed a new patented design system for recovering and launching rescue boats from offshore platforms, mobile rigs, or large ships. The most dangerous part of a rescue operation is the recovery of the rescue boat and the people on board. The MSS system meets the latest SOLAS regulations and can be fitted to any kind of offshore module or ship.
The recovery device is made up of a main framework made of high tensile steel with a carriage that supports the rescue boat. Pontoons made of GRP and structured PVC foam are attached to the framework to give the device draft and buoyancy to suit the rescue boat when launched. In effect, this configuration forms a floating dock which the boat can leave or enter under its own power.
When on board, the rescue boat is kept in a locked position in the dock. In an emergency the dock - with the boat - is launched by davits in a conventional manner. Once afloat, the locks are released and the boat is able to leave the dock. During recovery operations, the boat enters the dock by driving into it until it hits the end stop and automatically locks into the dock. The dock can then be hoisted on board the platform.
Rescue platform
The dock is connected to the platform by hoisting lines and a towing line which enables the mother ship/installation to make headway at a speed of at least five kts. The dock can easily be arranged as a rescue platform so that it can form a complete system for rescue purposes.
The pontoons can be designed to fit any size of boat required. Generally the length will be the same length as the rescue boat with the beam about 1 meter wider.
For more information contact Bengt Holm, MSS Marine Safety Systems: tel +46 42 260140, fax +46 42 260165, email: [email protected]; www.mssmarinesafety.com
Briefs
Vessel software merger
The shareholders of Sweden's Kockumation and San Francisco-based Herbert Engineering have merged the cargo planning and ship stability software divisions of the two companies. The new operation, called Loadmaster International, has offices in Malmo and San Francisco with a combined global distribution network. The company's two initial product linesare named Cargomax and Planmax. The former incor-porates features of Kockumation's Loadmaster programs, while Planmax is a shore side load planning and logistics tool.
For more information contact Ingemar Sekund, Loadmaster International: tel +46 40 936600, fax +46 40 930860, [email protected]
Crane joystick
Caldaro manufactures joysticks for a variety of sectors, including drilling rig control rooms - Norway's Maritime Hydraulics is one of its customers. The company's latest product, the S60JEM, has been designed for use in cranes, hoists and other applications where a simple joystick without analogue output signals is required. The all-metal S60JEM is compact, and its overall depth can be as low as 20 mm, depending on the switch type. Switching capacities of 5-25mA area available.
For more information contact Peer Busck, Caldaro: tel +46 8 736 1291, fax +46 8 7361 1290.
Radar upgrade
Swedish Space Corporation is supplying the US Coast Guard C130 aircraft with its MSS 5000 (Maritime Surveillance System) software. This relates to a project to update the side looking airborne radar sensor installed on the aircraft. Initially, two of the MSS 5000 systems are being used for International Ice Patrol, while the third is used for Maritime Environmental Protection. Other customers for the MSS 5000 include the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority.
For more information contact Olov Fast, Swedish Space Corporation: tel +46 98 627 6200, fax +46 8 987069, E-mail: [email protected]
Weighing, pressure measurement
Bedford, UK-based Nobel Systems has published a new leaflet outlining its range of weighing, force and pressure measurement instrumentation for offshore oilfield applications. The instrumentation is covered in sections, which include offshore gravity emplacement, exploration and production, drilling facilities and crane instrumentation. R & D facilities are also highlighted.
For drilling and production, Nobel can supply drilling instrumentation sensors for applications ranging from mud pressure and fluid/slurry density to cementing/stimulation pressure and logging and production test pressure. Instrumentation is also available for acidizing pressure and tank levels.
For more information contact David Viney, Nobel Systems: tel +44 1234 220800, fax +44 1234 325387, E-mail: [email protected]
