Webtool Unveils Portable Hydraulic Control System for Emergency Tow Line Cutting

Leading manufacturer of cutting and lifting tools, Webtool, announces a compact, portable hydraulic control system for emergency tow line cutting in combination with a Webtool cutter. The lightweight hydraulic control is a self-contained unit including an accumulator, control valves and hoses for connection to a Webtool cutter.

The hydraulic control system featured at Subsea Expo includes a 4-liter, 345-bar hydraulic accumulator operated by two ball valves and designed to cut fiber lines up to 80 mm. It is stored in, and operated from, an offshore approved roller storage crate that can be readily stored when not in use. Designed for single person operation, it also includes a pressure gauge for live system monitoring. Once connected to the Webtool cutter positioned on the tow line, the cutting system can be activated, and the fiber line cut in seconds. There is a simple reset procedure ensuring the control system is prepared for its next deployment.

“The portable hydraulic control system for emergency cutting is a tried and tested system based on our work with the Canadian Coast Guard and offshore companies looking for a quick and decisive means of responding should a vessel get into difficulties and all other preventative measures have failed,” says Rory McGarry, engineering director, Allspeeds. “Its compact design allows easy storage when not in use, while the robust metal container is well suited to the rigors of offshore service.”

The portable hydraulic control system for emergency tow line cutting is on show on the Webtool stand at this week's Subsea Expo in Aberdeen.

All Webtool cutters are designed and manufactured exclusively by Allspeeds Ltd in the UK.