Walk to Work system for offshore people transfer

The object of this paper is to present the main results of a Walk to Work system conceptual design.
The main purpose of a Walk to Work system is offshore people transfer to various technological means of ocean development, such as oil/gas platforms, wind turbines and, potentially, other objects: unmanned vessels, fish farms etc. The main elements of a Walk to Work system are a telescopic gangway and a compensating system which minimizes the effect of vessel rolling, pitching and heaving on people crossing the gangway to an offshore structure or a vessel. The main particularity of the designed system is its capability of operating in all of Russia’s offshore areas where expected to be necessary.
The relevancy of this work is defined by Russia’s import independence policy as such systems are currently not produced in the country. The fact that the leading positions in the Walk to Work sphere are taken by the ‘unfriendly states’ leads to severe limitations in technological interaction and therefore, a need for Russia’s own systems of such type.
The pre-design stage included creation of a database concerning the specifications of existing Walk to Work systems and vessels, research of weather and climate conditions in the expected regions of operation as well as other theoretical data collection. This was done with the aid of manufacturers’ official websites, register records of ship classification societies, official reference sources as well as various media materials as additional sources of information. The further determination of the system’s main characteristics was based on strength, stiffness and deflection calculations.
The design is based primarily on the Code for Offshore Personnel Transfer Systems by Lloyd’s Register as this Code contains the most precise and detailed guidelines on offshore gangway systems. However, the requirements of Rules for the Cargo Handling Gear of Sea-Going Ships by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping as well as of DNV-ST-0358 ‘Offshore Gangways’ by Det Norske Veritas are also met.
The data collected during the design process shall be of a significant aid during further development of the described conceptual design as well as creation of new types of Walk to Work systems and development of projects for re-equipment of vessels. It can also be important for preparation of amendments to the Rules of the Classification Society.
The integration of Walk to Work systems into the offshore industry shall contribute to safety, efficiency and comfort during personnel transfer operations to marine installations in the seas of Russia.

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