Ampelmann

Safe crew transfer during platform removal

On Thursday 22nd May 2008, the Ampelmann system was installed on SMIT's Taklift 4 sheerleg barge. Upon arrival at Wintershall's P14-A platform the next day, the unit transferred the first of 6 crew to the balcony at 12m above MSL for the first preparations of the decommissioning of the platform.

Offshore Access as easy as crossing the street

 

Throughout the remainder of the project, the Ampelmann provided daily access to the Spider Deck for a 20 person crew in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening. The system had its first major test during the weekend, when a summer storm past across the Dutch coast. Wind speeds reaching Beaufort 7 and a significant wave height up to 3.0m showed the added value of having the Ampelmann on board: only 3 hours of downtime were recorded, compared to a full 4 days downtime when a normal gangway would have been used.

The Ampelmann is installed on the starboard bow to allow access over the side and, for lifting of the topside, over the bow. To facilitate the transfer of the large number of people, a landing station was installed on the spider deck of the P14 platform. The tip of the gangway fits nicely into this V-shaped beak and the crew can step off straight forward onto the deck.

Besides the incidental whistling of the hydraulics, the crew on the transfer deck hardly notices anything of the unit below: they are standing perfectly still, waiting for the traffic light to turn green to signal that a safe transfer can be made. With good weather on the way, the project has been finished on-time with the Ampelmann making offshore access, as easy as crossing the street.