Reporting of offshore installation movements

Introduction

1. This notice provides revised guidance on the reporting of offshore installation movements to include information required under Civil Aviation Authority requirements. It should be read in conjunction with Operations Notice 3 Liaison with other bodies and Operations Notice 14 Guidance on Coast Protection Act - consent to locate and the marking of offshore installations. This notice has been revised to update the list of standard addressees who should be notified and modifies the standard format for notification.

Background

2. A system of telex/faxed reports to satisfy and minimise the need for special reports to individual Government Departments was first introduced with effect from1 June 1984. The system was last revised in March 1999.

3. The standard format in Annex A is to be used with provision for information to satisfy commercial interests or special requirements of Government Agencies separately advised with any consent that may be needed. These arrangements do not supersede any arrangements made privately between public agencies and individual companies, eg British Telecommunications PLC.

4. Revision to this notice in 1999 was prompted by reports indicating that not all helicopter operators were being properly informed about installation movements. HSE has been advised that, in some instances, incomplete information is still being reported to helicopter operators. All of the information required at Annex A, section E should be provided. The Annex A information should be copied by fax at the same time to the local helicopter bases serving the old and new locations. There have been reports of inadequate liaison between helicopter operators and installation owners when ensuring that aeronautical communications and navigation aids (NDBs) have been correctly established for new installation operating locations. It has also been reported that co-ordinates are being notified in a variety of formats. Where a period is used it must only be used as a decimal point and not as a spacer.

Guidance

5. Reports, in the format of Annex A, are required from the operator of a licence (or the owner of the installation when no licensee is involved):

1. at least 48 hours before installations commence a move to enter waters in, or adjacent to, the United Kingdom up to the seaward limits of territorial waters and the waters in any designated area within the meaning of the Continental Shelf Act 1964;
2. at least 48 hours before an installation established in waters in, or adjacent to, the United Kingdom up to the seaward limits of territorial waters and the waters in any designated area within the meaning of the Continental Shelf Act 1964 commences a move from one location to another;
3. when an installation being established arrives at its intended location (or intermediate position if necessary);
4. when a precise position has been established at the new location;
5. when an installation commences a move to leave UK waters; and
6. when an installation has left UK waters.

6. These reports satisfy the requirements to report movements and positions, and to comply with the following regulations/consents:

1. reports to the MOD Hydrographer and HM Coastguard, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) required by Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) consents under the Coast Protection Act 1949;
2. notification to Chief Constables in accordance with ON 3, paragraph 2;
3. notification of movements of mobile drilling installations to Maritime and Coastguard Agency in accordance with ON 3 paragraph 5; and
4. operation of aeronautical radio stations and NDB's in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority UK AIP, ENR 1-15-10 (25 Jan 01).

7. Rig movements should only be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) when an installation is due to enter or leave UK waters as per regulation 5 of the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/738).

Annex A

Format for Telex/Fax [34KB]

Supplementary information (if required)

Standard Addresses

1. Health and Safety Executive
   Offshore Division
   Lord Cullen House
   Fraser Place
   Aberdeen
   AB25 3UB
   Fax: 01224 252525
2. United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
   Radio Navigational Warnings
   Admiralty Way
   Taunton
   Somerset TA1 2DN
   
   Tel: 01823 353448
   Fax: 01823 322352
   Email: navwarnings@btconnect.com
   Website: http://www.ukho.gov.uk/rnw
3. Maritime and Coastguard Agency - see ON 3, paragraph 5
4. The Chief Constable - see ON 3, paragraph 2 NB: Notifications to the Chief Constable, Aberdeen should be addressed for the attention of the Oil Liaison Officer
5. Helicopter operators:
   1. CHC Scotia Ltd
      Aberdeen
      Fax: 01224 771632
   2. Bristow Helicopters Ltd
      Aberdeen
      Fax: 01224 772655
   3. Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd
      Aberdeen
      Fax: 01224 215220
6. National Air Traffic Services
   Aberdeen
   Fax: 01224 727176