Lloyd’s Register strengthens vessel and rig inspection service

LONDON -- Inspectors of Lloyd’s Register are optimizing inspection regimes thanks to their accredited status, using the OVID web based inspection tool to reference inspection reports.

“OVID has been designed to provide a number of positive benefits to Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF/IOGP) members and vessel managers. By using a database where inspection reports are available to OVID participating members, experience has demonstrated that inspection numbers will drop over time,” says Kevin Comeau, Manager of Dynamic Positioning/Power Management & Marine Safety Systems for Lloyd’s Register.

Assurance checks as a part of the chartering process may speed up as the assurance personnel have access instantly to credible information on the vessel and its safety performance.

“Inspectors from Lloyd’s Register are proud to be accredited providers to members using OVID and we are confident we can add value to owners and operators of offshore vessels that seek out quality inspection services. We are already seeing an increase in inquiries from within the U.S., to the Middle East and across Asia,” highlights Comeau.

In the long term it is an aspiration that OVID will form a tool that is central to the selection and assurance of offshore vessels complimented by an Offshore Vessel Management Self Assessment (OVMSA) protocol that will inform Oil Company assurance teams of the capabilities of the vessel/unit managing organization.

“Our work with members of OVID is targeted towards ensuring optimum safety of operations carried out in the industry,” says Comeau.

It is recognized that the offshore industry has a particular set of processes and procedures for assurance and chartering. OVID’s main goal is to provide a sturdy web-based inspection tool and database of inspection reports, which are given more credibility with the aid of professional inspectors with accreditation from risk and assurance providers such as Lloyd’s Register.