MEMBER NEWS: Seacroft Marine Consultants Limited Collaborates with Marine Safety Forum and OPITO to Launch Milestone Offshore Marine Operations Training Course

April 16, 2024
MEMBER NEWS: Seacroft Marine Consultants Limited Collaborates with Marine Safety Forum and OPITO to Launch Milestone Offshore Marine Operations Training Course

Seacroft Marine Consultants, a leading provider of Marine Consultancy, has partnered with the Marine Safety Forum (MSF) and OPITO to transform their pioneering training course into a global standard to enhance awareness of Safe Offshore Marine Operations.

The newly developed product, “The Safe Offshore Marine Operations (SOMO) – Offshore Installations & Energy Structures Safety Zone,” is not just another training program. It’s a meticulously crafted solution that uniquely addresses the critical need for heightened safety protocols within exclusion zones surrounding offshore installations worldwide. The primary objective of this initiative is to mitigate avoidable collisions and enhance overall safety standards within these controlled maritime zones in the Energy & Renewables sectors.

Seacroft, in response to a recommendation from the Marine Safety Forum and following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), has spearheaded the development of this comprehensive training program. This collaborative effort, involving industry experts and regulators, is designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and best practices for operating safely in and around safety zones across the offshore energy sectors.

Aligned with the Marine Operations Guide established by the MSF under the auspices of Step Change in Safety, the SOMO course delineates the prescribed methodology for approaching offshore structures, ensuring adherence to globally recognised standards.

Michael Cowlam, Managing Director of Seacroft Marine Consultants, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative effort, stating: “For the past eight years, we have been at the forefront of providing specialised training to over 3000 individuals, both domestically and internationally, to foster best practices and reduce incidents involving attending vessels at offshore Installations. We are thrilled that this groundbreaking training course has been developed into a universally recognised industry standard, thanks to our collaboration with OPITO and industry stakeholders, including the MSF.”

Mr Cowlam further added, “Through this initiative, we anticipate making a significant impact on knowledge dissemination and risk mitigation among personnel overseeing marine operations within safety zones, thereby promoting safer operations not just locally but globally.”

The launch of the SOMO training course represents a significant breakthrough in the ongoing commitment to enhancing offshore safety standards. It underscores the collective efforts of industry stakeholders to prioritise safety within maritime operations.

Seacroft Marine Consultants is a leading provider of Marine Consultancy, Assurance, and Safety training solutions. It offers a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of the maritime industry. Seacroft Marine Consultants’ steadfast commitment to excellence delivers innovative training programs to foster a culture of safety and compliance across various offshore energy and maritime sectors.

For further information about the SOMO training course, please visit www.seacroftmarine.com

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

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Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

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