Plans for a dedicated new vessel to provide high quality accommodation for transferring oil and gas workers have been revealed.
Dutch firm Vroon hopes the new vessel – which would be able to transport up to 60 offshore workers at a time – will prove a hit with offshore firms.
Increased interest in walk-to-work systems and vessels has emerged in the wake of recent helicopter tragedies, as energy companies look for alternative ways of getting staff to and from offshore installations
“The new design of vessel is aimed at providing a solution for the expected increase in client demand for offshore people-transfer solutions in the oil and gas and renewable-energy markets,” the company said.
The 80-metre concept vessel, which would have a top speed of 13knots, would offer hotel-style accommodation and work space for employees being moved between facilities, along with a dedicated walk-to-work mezzanine deck for transferring staff.
The concept, based on a KCM design, is now being built with the aim of deploying it on oil and gas projects by 2016.
Vroon said it had opened talks with potential customers for chartering the new ship, which would be the first of its kind.
“Over recent years Vroon has offered several ‘walk-to-work’ solutions and the experience gained has been invaluable in the development of this new vessel concept,” the firm said.
“The company is currently in discussion with prospective clients to jointly review the vessel design and make adaptations for specific needs.”
Workers waiting in Aberdeen’s Dyce to fly out to their offshore locations welcomed the concept.
Chay Still, from Trac Oil and Gas, said: “I think I worked on one of the first walk-to-work systems that we did, we had a few teething problems to start with but once it was up and running I think it was a great idea.
“The guys who had the job with me, they all thought it was a brilliant idea.” He added: “If I had a choice, I would definitely go (offshore) by boat, because of all the ditchings.”
But a veteran oil and gas worker and former military man said the worries over helicopter safety are blown out of proportion.
“The industry has been using helicopter travel for 40 years now and it’s been doing fine.”