Advisory aimed at curbing collisions between ships and offshore installations

Bootle, England — Responding to an uptick of incidents involving attendant ships colliding with offshore oil and gas and renewable energy structures, Great Britain’s Health and Safety Executive has issued a safety advisory.

The advisory details five incidents that have occurred within the past five years.

HSE, which regulates and enforces workplace safety and health in England, Scotland and Wales, cautions that “failure of navigational watch processes and systems” may result in collisions or risk of collisions. It outlines five actions that vessel operators and duty holders responsible for marine activities connected to offshore operations should review:
Provide clear watchkeeping instructions: A proper lookout must always be maintained, according to International Maritime Organization standards. No other duties shall be undertaken or assigned that could interfere with the full attention of a proper lookout.
Review bridge resource management: Check the effectiveness of bridge teamwork and communication arrangements, including the promotion of a culture challenging actions and omissions by any member of the bridge team.
Review use of bridge alarms: Maritime regulations require a Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (on all cargo ships of at least 150 gross tonnage) to be on and operating whenever a vessel is underway at sea. Proximity warnings and other new technologies should also be considered.
Monitor attendant vessels: Duty holders should review arrangements for monitoring the movement of attendant vessels, including an unplanned approach to the installation. Consider using an emergency response and rescue vehicle to monitor attendant, errant and passing vessels.
Sailing audits for marine assurance: Consider using these audits to verify competence of a crew and the operational capability of a vessel.

The advisory includes a legal framework, relevant legal documents and additional guidance.