The Code provides a vessel design standard primarily for the carriage of industrial personnel on high-speed craft servicing offshore wind turbines to support the wind-farm industry.

In accordance with SOLAS, a vessel carrying more than 12 passengers must be designed and built to the standard of a passenger vessel. Vessels carrying up to 12 passengers by defintion, need only meet the design standard of a cargo ship.

The HS-OSC Code allows for the carriage of more than 12 passengers/industrial personnel up to a maximum of 60 persons onboard, subject to the vessel meeting certain design requirements and for the industrial personnel comply with certain safety requirements.

Code for High-Speed Offshore Service Craft (HS-OSC)

(Of up to 500GT carrying up to 60 persons)

General

The code addresses only the principal variations from the HSC Code. All other UK and international regulations including load line, environmental protection, health and safety at work, employment law, COLREGS etc, continue to apply.

Application

Applies to HS-OSC that:

(a) Are seagoing high speed offshore service craft;

(b) of less than 500 Tons; and

(c) Are UK HS-OSC or other HS-OSC operating in UK waters.

Industrial personnel requirements

Must be onboard for transport or accomodation for the purposes of offshore industrial activities;

Able bodied and meet appropriate medical standards;

Received basic safety training, according to relevant indudstry standards;

Understand the layout of the ship and handling the ship's safety equipment; and

Equipped with suitable personal protective equipment.

Operational requirements

Maximum number of persons onboard 60, of which up to 12 may be passengers. For craft less than 24m, maximum limit 36 POB. Must meet evacuation requirements as per HSC Code sections 4.7 and 4.8;

Owner and master responsible for ensuring maximum number carried complies with the Permit to Operate;

International voyages only to be undertaken with prior agreement of relevant port States;

No persons under 16 years to be carried.

Survey and certification

UK Recognised Organisations (RO) authorised to carry out survey and
certification in accordance with normal arrangements with MCA;

Alternative modes of operation - safety standards

To facilitate relocation voyages or voyages principally for the transport or equipment, the nmumber of personel or passengers can be reduced. Where this number is reduced to 12 or fewer in aggregate, craft less than 24m Load Line length can be certified in accordance with the Workboat Code.

Lifting equipment

To use a crane at sea, must comply with the requirements of the RO;

Craft to be of sufficient strength to withstand loads imposed when operating at its maximum overturning moment and maximum vertical reaction;

Information and instructions to the master concerning stability should be in accordance with Section 2.7.3 of the HSC Code.

Additions and exceptions to the HSC Code

The following lists the additions and exceptions to the HSC Code -

Chapter 1 - General

Section 1.2.1.2 Safety Management and Operational Procedures

Section 1.8 Certificate

Section 1.9 Permit to Operate

Chapter 2 - Buoyancy etc

Section 2.6.7 Extent of side damage

Section 2.6.8.1.2 Extent of stern damage

Section 2.6.9 Extent of bottom damage in areas vulnerable to raking damage

Section 2.6.10 Extent of bottom damage in areas not vulnerable to raking damage

Section 2.6.11 7 metre obstruction for multihull craft damage determination

Chapter 3 - Structures

Sections 3.3 and 3.4 Additional structural requirements

Chapter 4 - Accomodation and escape measures

Section 1.2.1.10 and 1.2.1.11 (Chapter 1) MLC 2006 standards for industrial personnel

Section 4.7.2 Design for safe evacuation

Section 4.11 Foredeck and bow fendering arrangments for personnel transfer operations

Chapter 7 - Fire Safety

Section 7.7.5 Fire pumps, fire mains, hydrants and hoses

Sections 7.10.1 and 7.10.3 Fire-fighters outfit, long handled axe and safety lamp

Section 7.17 Requirements for craft and cargo spaces intended for the carriage of dangerous goods

Chapter 8 - Life-saving appliances and arrangements

Sections 8.3, 8.7 and 8.10 Personal LSA

Section 8.11 Helicopter pick-up areas

Chapter 12 - Electrical installations

Section 12.8.2.2 Electrical installations, Part C - Requirements for Cargo Craft

Chapter 13 - Shipborne navigational systems

Section 13.10 Night vision equipment

Section 13.14 Sound reception system

Chapter 15 - Operating compartment layout

Section 15.3 Field of vision from the operating compartment

Chapter 18 - Operating requirements

Section 18.3 and 1.2.1.3 (Chapter 1) Manning, crew training and certification