Reports from OLF's lifeboat project

The results, experiences and recommendations from OLF's LifeBoat Project, documented in the form of reports, significantly increase the safety of free-fall evacuation.

Background
Offshore installation tests in close to calm water carried out in 2005 revealed an unacceptable structural degree of deflection of the roof in one type of free-fall lifeboat. Immediate remedial action was initiated by the Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF), including the study and documentation of the main performance factors for free-fall lifeboats in up to 100-year weather conditions. OLF's LifeBoat Project (LBP) is financed by the oil companies on the Norwegian Shelf. The extensive work carried out on lifeboats over a four-year period, with its belonging findings, originated from deficient requirements in the IMO LSA code and other regulations.

The results, experiences and recommendations from OLF's LBP, documented in the form of reports, significantly increase the safety of free-fall evacuation. The reports can mainly be divided into three topical groups; positive headway, strength and accelerations. As part of the project an extensive boat model test programme has been carried out – adding up to over 20.000 model tests of 14 different types of free-fall lifeboats in a wave tank. Systematic tests to document pressure loads, acceleration loads, and forward speed have been performed in selected wave heights and wave headings. Calm-water model test results were compared to 250 full-scale drop tests.

A detailed description of the various reports can be found in the articles below.

Reports

Positive headway
Forward distance / speed immediately after water entry, thrust and steering capacity are evaluated up to a 100-year weather condition.
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Strength
Lifeboats are examined against the newly developed set of structural criteria and reinforced when necessary. For each boat type there is a report summarising the results from tests and FE analysis.
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Accelerations
The safety level for life boat occupants are evaluated up to a 100-year weather condition using a numerical model of the seat and restraint system with a automotive crash dummy as a replacement for a real 50th percentile human occupant.
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Miscellaneous
In the interest of promoting safety and further research and development some documents are available for free downloads.
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For information about price and other provisions, please contact
Statoil ASA
NO-4035 Stavanger, Norway
Attn.: Rolf Skjaeveland
rolsk@statoil.com