Transfers in extreme conditions
Published: 20 April, 2017
Ampelmann, a leader in the provision of safe offshore access to the energy industry, reports it has unveiled the latest Walk to Work system which has been specially designed for operation in extreme cold conditions.
The N-type, nicknamed Icemann, was officially launched in front of 200 guests on Thursday, April 20, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Designed to safely and efficiently transfer crew in extreme icing and temperatures as low as -28C (-18F), the fully enclosed and insulated system is operational in sea states up to 3.5 metres significant wave height and comprises active motion compensation. The Icemann rotates to 360 degrees and is controlled from the vessel with flexibility in platform landing locations and directions.
Walk to Work systems, where workers transfer between offshore platforms and adjacent vessels, are increasingly being used by the offshore industry as a safe and cost effective alternative to helicopter and basket transfers.
Ampelmann says it created the Icemann in response to growing demand for effective and safe personnel transfer equipment in frontier regions. The company anticipates strong demand for the Icemann to service remote and extreme cold oil and gas areas in non-Arctic Russia, Norway and Canada as well as regions of the Caspian Sea.
