DSV Bibby Topaz Case Study & Discussion of Lessons Learned

Scope of Work
Water depth 91m, Weather;
Wind NW Wind gusting up to 30 35 kts Sig wave height 4.0m

Vessel set up west of template 2 x DGPS, 2 x HiPap, 1 x taut wire online 3 Generators online, 5 out of 6 thrusters running & selected onto DP MOC conducted to enter template via side Venting annulus gas prior to barrier testing

DSV Bibby Topaz Build 2008

5&6

Propulsion 2 x Main Propulsion , 2 x Retractable Azimuth, 2 x Tunnel Thrusters

Time Line; 20.13

Dive 047, starboard bell locked off Bell located upstream of template structure Divers umbilical length into template 27m from bell

Time Line; 20.49 to 22.09

Diver 1 & 2 located inside drilling template structure carrying out barrier testing activities ROV monitoring

Time Line; 22.09

Alarm for RBUS activated DP amber alert activated Master & Dive Control informed Dive Supervisor instructed divers to leave structure and locate to bell stage Attempts made to reselect thrusters into DP

Vessel Tracking

Vessel Tracking
Vessel heading and approximate position between 22.09.30 and 22.13.00 (30 sec intervals)

Time Line; 22.11

DP Red alert activated Vessel drifting easterly, all references & thrusters unavailable to DP 4th generator started, thruster 4 running Diver 1 & 2 locating onto top of template

Easterly Direction

Time Line; 22.11 22.12

Diver 2 umbilical snagged on transponder bucket located on side of structure Bellman pulling in diver 1 slack

Easterly Direction

Time Line 22.12

Bellman providing slack to diver 1 Bellman attempting to provide slack to diver 2 Diver 1 pulled off template, returning to bell Loss of comms to diver 2 Momentary loss of comms to bell
Easterly Direction

Time Line 22.13 to 22.15

Diver 2 umbilical severed Diver 1 made way back to bell stage OPM relocated from Dive Control to Bridge Mode switch to manual thruster control Port Taut Wire stowed (wire parted) Downline and tugger parted

Time Line 22.17

Vessel position 240m NE of Drilling Template Vessel being manually driven using fwd and aft azimuths Chief Officer on thrusters 2 & 3, Master on main propulsion thrusters 5 & 6 Diver 2 locator beacon identified at template
240m

Time Line; 22.30 22.34

ROV back at Drilling Template Diver 2 located on top of template DP controllers power recycled Vessel back on full auto DP

150m

Time Line 22.38

Diver 1 left stage, relocated onto template Recovery of Diver 2 commenced

Time Line 22.40

Vessel back at Drilling Template Recovery of Diver 2

 Diver 2 recovered to bell, unconscious & breathing 23.13 Bell sealed and left bottom 23.38 Bell locked on 24.00 commenced transit to port

Time Line 22.46 Investigation

DP Control System Investigation

Determine the fault which caused sudden loss of all analogue and digital RBUS input / output signals with subsequent loss of DP control; resulting in vessel drift off Testing on the system to try to recreate sequence of events & method for provoking RBUS jamming developed Test procedure developed for demonstrating fault mechanism

DP Control System Investigation

Components in DPC-3 cabinet exposed to earth faults changed out as precaution & sent back to Kongsberg Maritime (KM), Norway for factory inspection KM supplied equip inspected & modified according to grounding philosophy KM disassembled hardware module by module to fully substantiate root cause of the failure DP system proving trials conducted Vessel assurance approved, returned operational (8th Oct) KM investigation concluded end November KM Technical Bulletin issued DP-02/2012

Causal Factors
The investigation determined RBUS jammed as a result of a rare sequence of events involving the combined effects of faults in one or more RBUS I/O modules in the DPC-3 cabinet (one of 3 cabinets / central processing units containing DP control system hardware). Faults found included; Loose / intermittent connections of fuse in DPC-3 cabinet Grounding; current was measured in the bound from the RCU units to ground. Inner shield on field cables not connected to instrument earth. DPC 3 cabinet not earthed to ship hull structure.

Preventative Actions
A permanent solution has been made available as a RBUS I/O Modules (RMP20X) Firmware Update kit. The kit consists of a CD and an installation & verification procedure The watchdog functionality self-test function allowing unit to recognise jamming fault (and provide diagnostic coverage for other CPU faults). Provides module isolation should any of these faults occur & is capable of removing the unit from the network in case of similar malfunction, ensuring that the inbuilt network redundancy can be utilised

HSE Safety Notice

HSE issued Safety Notice - OSD 1-2013 Target suppliers of DP systems, operators of offshore installations, marine type approval bodies, classification societies, verification bodies and marine consultancies Notice will focus on Duty Holders Safety Case and the verification of performance and communication architecture of DP systems Requirements that if the DP functions are dependent on a dual BUS network the Offshore Installation Duty Holder should ensure that appropriate measures are in place to prevent a single fault causing failure of the dual BUS network. If not in place manufacturer / suppliers provide adequate information regarding vulnerability to single point failure

Lessons Learned / Summary TOR

A number of engagement sessions conducted with client base, industry associations (IMCA, OGP DIWG, MSF) The objective being to; Present the incident and the investigation findings Importantly to identify, from the lessons learned, where potential improvements could be made to diving and marine operations and to mitigate the likelihood and consequence of a similar incident was to occur in the future. IMCA Safety Notice 02/13 issued 29th Jan

Diving & Marine Safety Enhancement Project

Discussed with and endorsed by the HSE Design of the bell staging to assist the recovery of unconscious diver The design of rescue equipment and method of recovery of unconscious diver back to the bell The design and provision of diver transponder / locator beacons The design and provision of thermal protective undersuits The specification of diver bailout bottles The assessment and technology of diver re-breather units Provision of addition life support equipment on the seabed for the dive team ROV interface to aid and assist diver recovery

Diving & Marine Safety Enhancement Project

Review of existing dive management system procedures and risk assessment criteria DP control system (software and hardware) inspection and verification regime DP field entry trials and set up to enable time for driving the vessel in manual mode Enhancement of the understanding and familiarity of manual systems and operation Bridge Team Management and the management of major emergencies / command and control Fully integrated approach to FMEA / FMECA and the schedule and criteria for FMEA / FMECA review Competency scheme performance criteria, training, drills and exercises