Code of practice for the safe and efficient operation of remotely operated vehicles

Abstract

Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are now almost commonplace in the offshore industry This is largely because ROV technology has been developed to such an extent that vehicles can effectively undertake a wide range of underwater tasks and, in many instances, provide an acceptable alternative to divers It is perhaps strange that, given the versatility and worldwide pre-eminence of ROVs, there are few rules and regulations specifically governing their operation Having said this, it is true that many ROV activities are influenced or indeed controlled by other general safeguards designed to cover a wide variety of offshore systems and equipment In addition, it must also be said that virtually all ROV contractors have developed comprehensive operating practices and standards (usually documented in a Company operations manual) which allow the safe operation of their ROV systems Likewise, many operators have generated internal guidelines covering the operation of ROVs However, in spite of all this documentation, the industry still lacks a set of rules or guidelines which contractors and clients alike can refer to in the clear knowledge that the contents of such a document can be generally regarded as the 'industry standard' This, therefore, is essentially the justification for producing a Code of Practice to cover the safe and efficient operation of remotely operated vehicles Briefly, the Code of Practice document was conceived and compiled as described below.