WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SUPPORT VESSEL.
In the oil field, supply boats, crew boats, and other support vessels are required. Choosing the correct vessel and owner is critical in this process, whether it’s bringing equipment to rigs, ensuring employees arrive securely and on time, or just providing support vessels for in-field activities.
However, determining what criteria a vessel and its owner must meet in order to be considered might be difficult. We’ve put together a list of three key factors to consider before hiring a support vessel:
MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY
The more you know about the fleet of a support vessel, the better. Inquire about the fleet’s age or a specific vessel’s age. Is there a maintenance policy in place by the owner? Will they provide you access to their maintenance logs? Inquire about their previous safety records. You can look into occurrences of concern because the Coast Guard demands mandatory reporting for marine casualties. Visit the Coast Guard’s incident investigation page to search for and examine reports.
It’s a good idea to choose a vessel owner who is concerned about the safety of their vessels and crew. After all, your time and money are on the line if the vessel can carry the materials in a secure manner.
EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES ARE IMPORTANT.
You’ll need to analyze the vessel owner’s and crew’s experience in your specific operation based on your requirements.
Does the proprietor, for example, have experience in similar businesses? It’s useful to think about how long a crew has been working together and how long they’ve been on a specific vessel. Crew cohesion can contribute to more efficient transportation, greater customer service, and overall happiness.
Not only that, but think about the vessel’s and crew’s physical capabilities.
Is the ship equipped with dynamic positioning (DP)? The computer-controlled system uses propellers and thrusters to autonomously maintain a vessel’s location and heading. Is there a crew of DP Officers on board? Do they have any prior familiarity with the DP system? Consider hiring a vessel with a Wi-Fi system if your company works in the oil industry. Off-ship or external firefighting capabilities are provided by these systems.
Knowing your company’s exact needs, as with most endeavors, will aid in determining which vessel owner has the necessary knowledge and capabilities to do the task.
DOCUMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE FOR THE VESSEL
Support vessels must adhere to current Coast Guard standards in order to preserve safety and security. A vessel owner must be committed to keeping policy, standards, and programs in line with the safe vessel and facility operation. Request verification of Coast Guard compliance from the vessel’s owner.
In addition, the vessel’s Captain or Master should be properly licensed and documented.
A vessel owner who is knowledgeable about maritime norms and regulations is a safe bet for your company’s needs. Contact a company that will safely handle your PSV vessel in Malaysia. One such company is Altus Malaysia.
