ROVs Accredited to DNV Standards

Work Class ROV designer and manufacturer SMD have recently announced that their ROV systems can now be offered accredited to the latest DNV standards. Conforming components include Control Cabins, ROVs, Tether Management Systems (TMS) and Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS).

By pre-certifying the design with DNV, SMD customers can ensure that the equipment specification complies with the most stringent industry standards. “Whilst not all operational regions require DNV certifications, we are seeing an increasing number of requests from certain regions” said Ian Griffiths, General Manager at SMD’s Houston office. “In addition, certification of the equipment during the build would sometimes become the customer’s responsibility, potentially impacting cost, delivery and mobilisation, whereas certification of the design means that it is no longer on the critical path. We think that is value that our customers appreciate.”

ROV control cabins are available fully certified to Offshore Service Modules DNV 2.7-2, allowing customers to benefit from greater safety features relating to fire and smoke protection. Cabling and wiring is now low smoke, low halogen and a revised cabin lining offers better protection for occupants from fire and heat.

SMD ROVs including Quantum Heavy Work Class, Quasar Medium Work Class and Atom Compact Work Class can now be offered to DNV 2.7-3. This means the units are fully certified to the highest standards for vessel-to-land, vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-sea transfer. SMD Tether Management Systems can also be supplied conforming to the same standard.

SMD Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) conforming to DNV 2.22 are now available. SMD have recently delivered the first fully certified 12te Telescopic A-frame and 12te 3500m umbilical winch to this standard. Updates relate to improved equipment safety and flexibility such as up-rated braking components on the winch and an increase in operating temperature range (-20C to +45C). Other Launch and Recovery systems in the range will be available certified to the same standard in the near future.