Submarine emergency evacuation system

Abstract

A system and a method for evacuating personnel from an offshore unit are described. The evacuation system comprises at least one submarine evacuation module attached to the offshore unit. A submarine evacuation module comprises a submarine for transporting personnel to be evacuated and a watertight submarine bay fixed to the offshore unit for holding the submarine, the bay having a door to permit the launch of the submarine from the bay. The evacuation module bay includes a control system, which may have hydraulic, electrical and mechanical systems, for flooding the submarine bay, for operating the door, and for decoupling a hook mechanism that couples the submarine to the submarine. The evacuation module bay may also include a roller system for cradling the submarine and guiding its movement into and out of the bay, and a sonar system for detecting obstructions near the bay door outside of the bay. The method of evacuating personnel from an offshore unit having a portion adapted to be submerged below the water level comprises having the personnel enter the submarine, flooding the bay, opening the door in the submarine bay and propelling the submarine from the bay to a predetermined location remote from the offshore unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to evacuation systems for offshore fixed structures or vessels, and more particularly to submarine evacuation systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Current approved emergency evacuation systems for the international offshore are categorized as dry, semi-wet, and wet systems. Dry systems, such as helicopters, are the preferred alternative since personnel do not come into contact with the ocean environment. Nevertheless, such systems have limitations as unfavourable atmospheric conditions such as wind, fog, rain, freezing rain, icing or snow often preclude air-borne rescue. Unfortunately, these conditions are normally present when offshore installations are at peril. [0003] Semi-wet systems, such as Totally Enclosed Motor Propelled Survival Craft (TEMPSC) and life rafts, are required on all offshore structures and do not always do what is expected of them. Though essential, these systems also have limitations. A TEMPS...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] With regard to specific aspects of the invention, the evacuation module bay includes a mechanism for flooding the submarine bay and for operating the door, a hook mechanism for coupling the submarine to the submarine bay and a control system for operating the flooding, the door operating and the hook mechanisms. The control system may include haudraulic, electrical and mechanical systems. The evacuation module bay may also include a roller system for cradling the submarine and guiding its movement into and out of the bay, and a sonar system for detecting obstructions near the bay door outside of the bay.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the evacuation module includes a dry entry tube, which may be made of flexible material, for connecting a universal mating system hatch on the submarine to a hatch on a wall of the submarine bay to provide a watertight passage from the submarine bay hatch to the universal mating system submarine hatch. The hatch may also include a switch for activating the control system.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the submarine includes a connector for coupling the submarine to the hook mechanism, wherein the connector includes a U-bolt, which may be sheared from within the submarine. In addition, the submarine may include a control system for directly operating the flooding and the door operating mechanisms.

[0012] Further, this invention is directed to a method of evacuating personnel from an offshore unit having a portion adapted to be submerged below the water level, wherein the offshore unit includes at least one submarine module having a submarine held within a watertight submarine bay; the method comprises having the personnel enter the submarine, flooding the bay, opening the door in the submarine bay and propelling the submarine from the bay to a predetermined location remote from the offshore unit.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, such systems have limitations as unfavourable atmospheric conditions such as wind, fog, rain, freezing rain, icing or snow often preclude air-borne rescue.

Unfortunately, these conditions are normally present when offshore installations are at peril.

Semi-wet systems, such as Totally Enclosed Motor Propelled Survival Craft (TEMPSC) and life rafts, are required on all offshore structures and do not always do what is expected of them.

Though essential, these systems also have limitations.

A TEMPSC launch from a rig can be perilous in severe weather conditions, and huge waves are often a mortal threat to these crafts.

In most emergency evacuations, atmospheric or water surface conditions are extreme posing severe threat to human life.

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