EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RESCUE VESSEL SURVEY GUIDELINES

These valuable guidelines were prepared and officially released by the ERRVA together with the OGUK in order to provide the participants of the offshore industry with the necessary technical guidance to all operators and charterers of the ERRVs and marine surveyors to help them better assess the suitability of the vessels of the above mentioned type, servicing the offshore rigs, platforms and other installations and providing the required arrangements for the most effective response and recovery by offshore HSE legislation.

They were worked out following the extensive consultation with the MCA, HSE and a group of professionals and other interested parties. They describe what is commonly treated as a good offshore industry practice and recognized standards in order to enable the ship to carry out their fundamental functions of the offshore standby. It shall be noted that the provisions outlined in the present document are not considered mandatory, and the vessel operators are free to adopt different recognized standards in particular situations where following  these recommendations will provide at least the equivalent or better safety level.

Among the topics covered in the document there are the certification process, stability, design and construction criteria, accommodation and various facilities for survived people, ERRV equipment, radio communications and others.