Written answers

Thursday, 13 May 2004

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Health and Safety Regulations

5:00 pm

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the maximum distance and time span for a replacement vessel to be available if a company (details supplied) replaces the current two vessel standby/supply boat cover at the Kinsale Head gas field with a single self-relieving dual purpose standby/supply boat, in the event of a breakdown of this single vessel service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10235/04]

Photo of Frank FaheyFrank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Day-to-day responsibility for the administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health legislation, including the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) Act 1987 and the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Emergency Procedures) Regulations 1991, made under that Act, is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority. The regulations provide for the availability of adequately equipped stand-by vessel.

I am informed by the Health and Safety Authority that the company referred to owns two fixed production platforms/installations in the Kinsale Head gas field. One of these platforms has become what is termed a normally unmanned installation and therefore it only presents a risk to personnel when they are on board for maintenance and so on. Processing of gas takes place on the platforms, on one of which personnel are located. As a result, a standby vessel is required to render assistance if required in the event of an emergency. The company currently has a contract for two full-time vessels — one standby vessel and one support vessel. The standby vessel serves the two platforms. The support vessel is also certified and equipped to be a stand-by vessel. Standby boats have crew, medical supplies, medic or paramedic and other supplies on board and two rescue boats attached.

I understand that the company has recently tendered to have a single self-relieving dual purpose stand-by/supply boat vessel. I am informed that there will also be one certified temporary standby vessel capable of carrying supplies and cargo available. When a crew change is needed at a platform, normally every two to three weeks, the certified standby boat will come out from port and replace the original standby vessel while it goes into port to change crew and get supplies. This temporary standby boat will be certified to be a standby vessel. The Health and Safety Authority has informed me that this arrangement will satisfy regulation 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Emergency Procedures) Regulations 1991, as at all times there will be a certified standby vessel in the vicinity of both platforms which are approximately three nautical miles from each other.

As regards arrangements in the event of breakdown of the single self-relieving dual-purpose stand-by/supply boat vessel, I am informed that the following would apply. The standby vessel has spare replacement parts for the vessel on board, so the likelihood of the standby vessel being down for long is low. Notwithstanding that, each platform has its own self-contained lifeboats capable of reaching Cork harbour on their own. Even if the standby vessel breaks down, it has two fast rescue craft it can launch itself which can be at the installation within minutes. Helicopter back–up from Cork Airport or the platform would also be put on a higher state of alert in the event of a standby vessel breakdown.

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