Continued use of paper records hinders offshore operational efficiency
Key highlights:
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Successful offshore digitalization requires more than new software, with workforce involvement, clear data ownership and structured implementation all critical to adoption.
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Building systems that can operate during connectivity outages and connect operational, competency and compliance data can improve efficiency, visibility and decision-making offshore.
Offshore operators pursuing digitalization often face challenges related to connectivity, complex workflows and workforce adoption. Success depends on designing systems for offshore conditions, involving operations personnel from the outset and establishing clear ownership of data and processes.
Offshore recently chatted with Lino Brogneri, founder and CEO of South Africa-based Logiit, about the offshore industry’s reliance on paper records, which Brogneri says creates inefficiencies. Having spent more than 20 years offshore as a commercial diver, rigger and supervisor before moving into technology, he has experienced these paper-based workflows firsthand.
"Across offshore operations, paper records often mean repeated data entry, illegible handwriting, time-consuming verification and reporting, and valuable information sitting in files rather than being available for analysis," he added. "Moving to digital offers much more than removing paper; it improves traceability, supports competence oversight, simplifies audits and gives contractors and clients timely access to data for better decisions."
However, he explained that this transition has been a challenge for operators. "Digital systems must work through unreliable connectivity, fit demanding operational routines and earn the confidence of crews accustomed to paper," he said.
Case study: Digital dive operations rollout
Partnering with Logiit, Pacc Offshore Services Holdings (POSH) recently completed the transition to fully digital dive logbooks and competence records aboard the POSH Mallard diving support vessel in the Arabian Gulf, eliminating paper-based recordkeeping as part of a broader fleet digitalization initiative.
The transition included:
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Automated updating of diver logbooks and competency records;
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Offline functionality with built-in redundancy for offshore operations; and
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Faster reporting and centralized access to operational records.
The deployment marks the first phase of a planned fleet-wide rollout aimed at improving operational efficiency, data quality and continuous performance improvement across offshore diving operations.
"The real opportunity is to capture information once, at the point of work, and use it wherever it is needed," Brogneri said. "With Logiit, supervisors capture dive information during operations, and the relevant records automatically populate divers’ logbooks. That removes a repetitive task and gives everyone a clear reason to use the system."
Common mistakes operators and contractors make
According to Brogneri, one of the most common mistakes companies make is selecting software before fully understanding how work is actually performed offshore. Processes that appear simple onshore can become far more complex during offshore operations, where crews must manage shift handovers, shared equipment and limited time for administrative tasks.
"One common mistake is choosing software before understanding the actual workflow," he said. "Another is treating digitalization as an IT project without enough operational involvement."
He also emphasizes that digitalization efforts are most successful when operations personnel are involved from the outset, helping identify reporting challenges, duplicate data entry and potential workflow bottlenecks.
Brogneri adds that successful implementation requires more than technology. Clear ownership of data, practical training, user support and a structured transition plan are all critical. Companies should establish defined criteria for moving from paper-based processes to fully digital records rather than running both systems indefinitely.
The connectivity issue
Brogneri says offshore digital systems should be built with the expectation that internet connectivity will be interrupted. Critical work processes and data access must remain available locally, allowing operations to continue uninterrupted and synchronize records once communications are restored.
"The starting point is to design for loss of internet access as a normal operating condition,"he said. "Reliability needs to be demonstrated under the conditions the system will actually face."
He also notes that reliability depends not only on the software itself, but on the supporting onboard infrastructure, including local networks, devices, power systems and redundancy measures. Companies should test the entire operating environment under real-world outage conditions to confirm crews can maintain normal workflows, including shift handovers.
Driving adoption and connecting offshore data
Brogneri says successful digitalization efforts begin by recognizing why offshore personnel trust established paper-based processes. Adoption improves when new tools address everyday frustrations and deliver clear operational benefits rather than simply digitizing existing paperwork. He notes that transparency, accountability and user involvement are essential to building long-term trust, particularly when crews can see their feedback reflected in system improvements.
"The strongest way to build adoption is to solve a frustration they already recognize," he explained. "Crew feedback must lead to visible action."
Looking beyond individual software deployments, Brogneri believes the industry's biggest opportunity lies in connecting operational, competency and compliance data across the offshore value chain.
"Today, these parties often hold separate versions of the same information, spread across paper records, spreadsheets and disconnected systems," he concluded. "The opportunity is to establish a shared system of record, where verified, structured data is captured once and made available in real time."
About the Author
Ariana HurtadoAriana Hurtado
Editor-in-Chief
With more than a decade of copy editing, project management and journalism experience, Ariana Hurtado is a seasoned managing editor born and raised in the energy capital of the world—Houston, Texas. She currently serves as editor-in-chief of Offshore, overseeing the editorial team, its content and the brand's growth from a digital perspective.
Utilizing her editorial expertise, she manages digital media for the Offshore team. She also helps create and oversee new special industry reports and revolutionizes existing supplements, while also contributing content to Offshore's magazine, newsletters and website as a copy editor and writer.
Prior to her current role, she served as Offshore's editor and director of special reports from April 2022 to December 2024. Before joining Offshore, she served as senior managing editor of publications with Hart Energy. Prior to her nearly nine years with Hart, she worked on the copy desk as a news editor at the Houston Chronicle.
She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Houston.
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