1.The Norwegian Lifeboat Project Per Otto Selnes Manager Operations the Norwegian Oil Industry Association www.olf.no

2. The Norwegian Lifeboat Project Where the skeletons kept falling out of the closet Contents1. Background2. Deflections of hatches and superstructure3. Acceleration safety for passengers4. Outward movement5. New standard for free fall life boats 3. 1.Backgroundwhere it all started Full scale test offshore Installation test in summer 2005 with a skid boat gave major deflections of hatches and superstructure 4. 1. Background Industry cooperationThe Norwegian Oil Industry Association - OLF, on behalf of its member companies, initiated a full investigation of all 16 freefall lifeboat types on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). 5. 1. BackgroundComprehensive testing During a four year programme of investigations, tests and analysis, several weaknesses have been disclosed. 6. 1. Background Shortcomings Major shortcomings identified in existing regulations, and in the lifeboats: Structural weaknessesAcceleration challenges - safety for passengersOutward movement from the installations 7. 1. Background ResultsThe outcome of the Norwegian Lifeboat project (LBP) has lead to proposed remedial actions for existing lifeboats and the development of a new standard for future freefall lifeboats. 8. 1. Background Functional requirementsThe Norwegian authorities amended their regulationsin the autumn of 2006, and requested the lifeboatowners to ensure that it is possible to evacuate all personnel on an installationquickly and effectively to a safe area during allweather conditions 9. 2. Deflection of hatches and superstructure Unacceptable structural degree of deflection Offshore installation tests in close to calmwater carried out in 2005 revealed anunacceptable structural degree ofdeflection of the roof in one of the 16 typesof free-fall lifeboats. 10. 2. Structure Hatch after drop 11. 2. Structure Deflection of superstructure and support elements after drop 12. 2. Deflection of hatches and superstructure The findings revealed that the design and testing requirements to free fall lifeboats issued by UNs International Maritime Organisation (IMO) are inadequate. 13. 2. Deflection of hatches and superstructure Realistic tests have been carried out All 16 different freefall lifeboat types have been analysed and examined against a set of structural criteria, including suitable load cases and structural safety levels. 14. 2. Deflections of hatches and superstructureModel tank test The testing program included up to over 20.000 model tests of freefall lifeboats in a wave tank 15. 2. Deflections of hatches and superstructure Model drop 16. 2. Deflections of hatches and superstructure Shortcomings with respect to hull accelerationsCalm water 50 Hs 15m 45 40 35 30 Max acc 25 20 15 10 5 0Boat 1 Boat 2Boat 3 17. 2. Deflections of hatches and superstructure ReinforcementsIt has been necessary to reinforce the superstructure of 140 lifeboats, representing 11 of the 16 types. 18. 2. Deflections of hatches and superstructure ReinforcementsThe reinforcements required have been made by installing additional beams in order to strengthen the superstructure (canopy), and strengthening the frames of the access hatches and doors. 19. 2. Deflections of hatches and superstructure Reinforcements shown in animation 20. 3. Accelerations Safety for lifeboat passengersThe overall purpose has been to provide a comprehensive assessment of occupant injury risk during drop conditions in an effort to improve occupant safety. 21. 3. Acceleration Safety for lifeboat passengers The entire research scope has included injury biomechanics occupant assessment criteria boat hydrodynamics full-scale testing model-scale testing numerical modelling sensitivity analysis and optimization sled testing. 22. 3. Acceleration Safety for lifeboat passengers It has been necessary to develop specific acceptance injury criteria and limits. 23. 3. Acceleration Applying criteria in start-to-finish evaluations Full-scale testingNumerical modelingSled testingInjury measurements Head Abdomen and thorax Neck 24. 3. Acceleration Injury criteria Level 1 No, or only minor, injuries Level 2 Serious injuries may occur Level 3 Injuries with very long recovery time, permanent injuries which significantly can reduce future ability to work, or injuries which may cause death, may occur 25. 3. AccelerationVariations in impactThe impact on the human body from high accelerations varies not only with drop height, but more importantly with wave height and direction, and also the loading (weight) of the boat. 26. 3. Acceleration Passenger seating mattersPersons seated in seats at the extreme ends of a boat are generally subject to higher impact than if seated in the middle. 27. 3. AccelerationResults New acceleration criteria have been developed Recommendations Temporary seating restriction Permanent improvements of belts Modification of the FF1000D type 28. 4. Outward movement 29. 4. Outward movement The boat has to leave the installation Forward distance/speed immediately after water entry, thrust and steering capacity have been evaluated up to a 100-year weather condition. Final results are given as contour plots for four sea states representing the Norwegian Sea 30. 4. Outward movement Launch directions Results are given for two launch directions (head seas and bow oblique seas) and two values of time for start propeller after water entry (5s and 10s). 31. 4. Outward movementLife boat placement and structureEngine start 10 sec. after water impact Lifeboatclosest to the structure + StructureStructure 32. 5. New standard for free fall lifeboatsThe new standard is for future freefall lifeboats on the NCSOFFSHORE STANDARD Reinforcement an restrictions make exciting lifeboats safe 33. 5. New standard for free fall lifeboats ContentSafety philosophy and construction principals OFFSHORE STANDARDLoads and load effectsMaterials choices and qualificationStructure/constructionOperational specificationsSafety and comfort for passengersModel and full scale testing 34. 6. SummaryWeaknesses on the superstructure was discovered in one of the 16 types of freefall lifeboats on the NCS in June 2005, a joint industry project was established in the Norwegian Oil Industry Association 35. 6. Summary In addition to the initial discovery, the project scope include: investigation of the freefall lifeboats wrt. to hullstrength, G-forces impact on personnel on board,outward movement from the installation; investigation of conventional lifeboats andlaunching arrangements a specification for freefall lifeboats being built whilstthe project is underway A new standard for future freefall lifeboats on theNCS 36. 6. Summary The project delivery has been to carry out extensive model testing and computer simulations in wind and waves, full scale tests in water, strength analysis and to issue recommendations to the lifeboat owners on actions required to comply with the Norwegian regulationsUnions have made important contributions throughout the project