Offshore Renewable Energy – Emergency Response (SAR and

Counter Pollution)

This presentation will discuss:

• UK requirements on industry• Emergency Response Cooperation Plans (ERCoP)

• Emergency Response Forum(s)• Likely SAR scenarios and issues• Counter Pollution operations• Helicopter SAR issues• Surface Vessel SAR issues

MCA requirements

• Navigational Safety and SAR requirements – MGN 371 and 372 and MCA website.

• Emergency Response Cooperation Plan – to be in place for construction and operation (and decommissioning) phases.

ERCoP

• Based on good practice developed by the IMO for passenger vessels (SARCoP).

• Purpose: to ensure that MRCC and Developer/Operator have relevant information about each other and can communicate rapidly and easily to coordinate an effective and efficient response to an emergency.

ERCoP Content• Requirements and guidance for SAR Helicopter Operations on WTG• Information and contact details on the Company• Description of installations, operations and shutdown and control• Description and details of vessels in use in the OREI• Information on and contact details for the MRCC• Guidance and information on OSC function• Details of SAR facilities and capabilities• Medical advice and assistance, • Survivor reception and informing next of kin arrangements• Criminal Action• Media response• Exercising• Ordnance and wreck materials – normally only relevant in construction

phase• General liaison

ERCoP Process

1. Developer creates draft ERCoP from MCA website template;

2. Submits to MCA HQ SAR Operations;3. MCA HQ SAR and MRCC comment on ERCoP;4. Redraft issued;5. Developer, MCA HQ SAR and MRCC agree

final draft. MCA confirm acceptance in writing.6. Issue final ERCoP.7. Adjust ERCoP for Operational phase and

throughout life.

Emergency Response ForumOffshore Renewable Energy Emergency Forum

– Act as a focal point for discussions on emergency preparedness in support of renewable energy activity

– Act as custodians of industry guidance on emergency preparedness and as necessary to review, analyse and make recommendations to improve emergency response procedures;

– To collect and disseminate lessons identified from significant incidents affecting offshore renewable energy projects

– To liaise with stakeholders in similar industries e.g. oil and gas, to ensure a common approach to emergency preparedness across the UK Renewable Energy Zone

What are the likely SAR problems?

Accident during Construction Operations Slips, trips,

falls;

Illness;

Accident causing injury;

Person in water;

Vessel incident;

Collapse or failure of structure(s);

etc.

Accident to Personnel working on OREIs

• Slips, trips and falls;

• Illness;

• Accident causing injury

• Person(s) in water

Requirement for industry to provide immediate aid and self-help – up to a sensible point

‘Third Party’ Incident

Vessel Collision

Sightseeing and Leisure Craft

Night SAR OperationsSAR helicopter ops more dangerous;

SAR ops may require lighting to be available on turbines;

CAA lighting requirements are different;

Surface craft rescue ops not obviously restricted – there are still risks

Counter Pollution Operations

• How effective will CP operations be through a OREI?

• Can CP vessels operate safely?• Airborne spraying operations are unlikely

in wind farms• What damage/inconvenience will be

caused to OREI ops?

CP Advice – Bonn Agreement Chapter 8Mechanical recovery

• would it be feasible to contain the oil by deploying booms in advance?

• could the turbines be protected by deploying booms around the park to deflect the floating oil?

• If the oil drifts into the windfarm recovery vessels may need to enter for mechanical recovery operations – turbine shutdown?.

Dispersents

Depending on the type of oil and the sea conditions, dispersant spraying could be done from a vessel.

• spraying aircraft would not be able to operate within the windfarm

Location, size, layout, shape, traffic (type, congestion, frequency)

Shipping and small craft routes

Prevailing wind direction

Lots of obstacles!

Further Offshore

Helicopter Operations – Identification of WTG

Above sea level….

Requirement…above highest point of WTG

Winching

SAR helicopter response is dependent on conditions at the time and the circumstances of the incident. The captain has the final say when they arrive. There is no guarantee of rescue!

OREI Assistance to SAR• Provision of marine assets to assist (work

and safety boats)• Provision of communications facilities

offshore (radio aerials)• Provision of AIS and/or radar (and

CCTV?) coverage offshore• Provision of installations –

Accommodation, Sub stations, etc. for refuelling, temporary place of safety, medical aid, etc.

Radar identification and discrimination between WTG

30 turbines at 8 Nautical miles

30 turbines at 1.4 NM – some discrimination between individual WTG

Thermal Imaging

Surface Rescue Operations

Surface Vessel Radar

Surface Vessel Radar

Rescue From a Turbine by Rescue Boat?

DB10