Guidance on the transfer of personnel to and from offshore vessels and structures

 

Version history

March 2024 Rev. 2.2 – Refresh of preface, reference links and layout, but no change to content

May 2019 Rev. 2.1 – Revised to make slight changes to section 4.1

October 2018 Rev. 2 – Revised to include input from the geophysical survey sector

June 2014 Rev. 1 – Revised to include input from the renewable energy sector

March 2010 – Initial publication

 

Summary

The transfer of personnel between vessels and to and from offshore structures is a common activity for the offshore energy industry. Transfers can include moving personnel at crew and shift changes from vessel to vessel and between service operation vessels, offshore structures, barges and crew boats.

Surface vessel transfers are primarily performed by means of either ‘step over’ between a crew transfer vessel (CTV) (step to work or S2W) and a boat landing or by means of a gangway system deployed between a service operation vessel (SOV) and a platform forming part of the offshore structure (walk to work or W2W). In the geo-survey industry, transfers are often conducted between vessels that are underway.

This document provides guidance on the safe transfer of personnel at sea. It covers risk assessment, training and competence, responsibility, equipment and communications, and focuses on the main methods of personnel transfer between vessels and offshore structures. The methods of personnel transfer covered are:

• crane-operated personnel transfer carrier
• gangways, bridge or accommodation ladders, including motion-compensated gangways
• CTVs, small boats and daughtercraft
• vessel to vessel (V2V)
• pilot ladder transfers.

The guidance covers the main safety issues and provides information about specialist equipment which may be involved, as well as some of the duties or responsibilities of the personnel involved and the communications needed to effect safe transfer.

Personnel transfer by helicopter is not covered in this guidance. Appropriate regional guidance should be consulted, and the relevant national aviation authority regulations followed accordingly.

 

Contents

• Glossary of Terms
• Introduction
• General Operating Procedures
• Surface Vessel Transfers
• References
• Appendix 1 – IMO Guidance on Safety When Transferring Persons at Sea
• Appendix 2 – Boat Landing Frames or Surfer Landing
• Appendix 3 – Cradle Launch and Recovery and Davit Systems
• Appendix 4 – Vessel Transfers