Media Release
Issue date: 9-02-2009
Page 1 of 1
Reference:C01188
National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority
10 February 2009
For Immediate Release
Safety alert highlights need for better cyclone response planning
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) today issued a safety alert to
warn offshore operators of the need for an appropriate Cyclone Response Procedure.
The safety alert was prompted by a recent incident in which a construction vessel was
unable to avoid a cyclone because its operator failed to put in place preparations to
retrieve anchors and evacuate from its location in a timely manner.
The vessel weathered the storm until its final anchor parted, at which point the vessel was
able to make way under its own limited capability to a safe location. Fortunately, no one
was injured during the incident, although had the cyclone intensified, the outcome could
have been more serious.
Some of the key lessons drawn from this incident include the need to consider location
specific cyclone scenarios within the Cyclone Response Procedure including:
Designated safe mooring areas
Escape route/sail away restrictions
Responses for cyclones and tropical lows approaching from various directions
incorporating consideration of worst case forecast predictions.
Helicopter availability
Key construction activities and their required evacuation preparation times”
CEO of NOPSA, John Clegg said that the incident demonstrated the need for adequate
cyclone response planning to cover a wide range of scenarios.
“Preparation and planning are the keys. In this case, the operator’s Cyclone Response
Procedure failed to identify and address the risk of topical lows rapidly developing into
cyclones and there had not been a sufficient level of cyclone drills and exercises.”
The incident is currently the subject of an investigation by NOPSA occupational health and
safety inspectors.
Ends.
(Enquiries to: NOPSA external affairs officer, Louise Dumas Tel 08 6461 7058)
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) is the occupational health and
safety (OHS) regulator for the Australian offshore petroleum industry. NOPSA is a
Commonwealth statutory agency that regulates under the Offshore Petroleum and
Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 in Commonwealth waters and equivalent OHS
legislation in designated coastal waters of the States and Northern Territory.
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