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Norwegians to build foundation for new "simpler" offshore control systems

Thursday, January 19, 2012 in Software

A new Norwegian research project intends to create a foundation for a new generation of human control systems for marine operations, which aim to be simpler to use.

The project is called 'Situation Awareness and Decision Support Tools for demanding marine operations' (SITAWARE).

It is part funded by the Norwegian Research Council and is undertaken in collaboration with academic research partners Chalmers University in Sweden, Vestfold University College and Haugesund University College in Norway. Electronics technology company Kongsberg is also involved.

The project kicks-off on February 2nd 2012.

The project aims to reverse the trend of making control systems more complex as more functionality is added, and instead aim to create control systems which only provide the information which users really need.

The project will start with a study of studies which have already been completed, and be followed by a detailed analysis of a number of advanced marine operations. A prototype system will be built and implemented in a simulator. Experienced operators will be invited to test it out.

The project will study how people make decisions during demanding marine operations, particularly when under stress.

It anticipates that the solution will involve a mixture of changes to control system design processes, new methods of information exchange, different ways to share workload between people, and new training.

'Demanding and critical marine operations like anchor handling, rig moves, heavy lift operations, subsea construction, pipe-laying, and FPSO offloading all push people, vessels and systems to their limits,' says Thor Hukkelås, Principal Engineer Marine Operations, Kongsberg Maritime AS.

'The consequences of making wrong decisions during failure or stress situations can be disastrous."

"Sophisticated, but simple to understand decision support tools developed through user-centred design are vital."

"We believe the research will show that a shift in focus from boxes, systems and equipment to function, information and operation will have tangible effects on safety and operational performance.'

The project team also expect to develop prediction systems which use all available data to work out where things are going, so people get the best possible idea about their risk levels.

This prediction module will build a simulation using current and forecast weather, data from vessel systems, sensors, motion and stability data, and also data from other vessels involved in the operation.

The "SimSea" training facility in Haugesund, which has a Kongsberg Maritime offshore vessel simulator, is expected to be used for testing.

Associated Companies
» Kongsberg

External Links
» Sitaware website