Allseas – one of the world’s biggest names in offshore pipelay and subsea construction – takes a highly innovative approach to the development of training simulators. Back in 2023, we revealed how Allseas leveraged Tree C’s flexible simulator framework and technical expertise to implement an ambitious multi-vessel operator training program. One year on, we explore how the training program has evolved, and where it will go next: powered by simulator technology from Tree C.

———

“The training program not only results in trained people, it also gives crew members a  clearer, better-defined way of working.”

– Project Manager, Allseas

———

Better communication and teamwork 

In the world of software, simulating a highly complex piece of equipment for training purposes is nothing new. But Allseas is doing something different. Its ambition is to push the boundaries of possibility by simulating not only a single vessel and its equipment, but an entire fleet, complete with realistic environmental conditions and real-world physics. Training simulation for offshore and subsea operations has evolved.

The collaboration with Tree C started in 2023, with the development of a training simulator for one of the largest pipelay vessels in the world – Solitaire. Since then, Allseas has added two further vessels: Audacia and Sandpiper. Allseas’ highly ambitious training program covers three aspects: multi-operator training, Crew Resource Management (CRM), and the management of major emergencies. 

———

“We’re constantly preparing people for scenarios that we hope they’ll never have to experience in real life.”

– Project Manager, Allseas

———

What’s interesting is that this highly sophisticated technology facilitates two basic things that are critical to the success and safety of offshore and subsea operations – communication and teamwork. Particularly in an emergency, if people lose situational awareness or don’t share the same mental model, the consequences can be disastrous.

For Allseas, it’s not just the advanced simulator technology that sets a new benchmark for the offshore and subsea industry – it’s how the technology enables them to understand people’s responses to crisis situations and ensure they’re better prepared for any eventuality. In effect, how the bridge of a vessel can remain operational and effective in an emergency scenario. This involves coordinating the communication between a large group of people and other assets in the field, taking actions such as mustering and preparing lifeboats while, at the same time, trying to understand exactly what’s happened. 

A framework that continuously evolves

So far, the simulator setup has been used to train several operators and teams. Now all the digital tools are there, they’re ready to be deployed as part of the next training program. There are two key questions for the training team: What needs to be done? How do they make it happen? 

Alongside the program, the Allseas training team is creating a Quick Reference Handbook – a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices. It’s an approach borrowed from the aviation industry that will enable Allseas to set consistent standards in terms of operator capabilities and operational effectiveness. 

Right now, Allseas is developing training pathways that will take operators from entry-level all the way through to the top. With a clear training framework in place, they’re able to adapt their training program to different levels. It can accommodate everyone from new starters to experienced operators needing to refresh their skills or learn new procedures. 

Key skills are integrated into a training matrix, so for a specific position in the crew a certain diploma or certificate is needed. These expire every few years or so, and the refresher training will help operators keep their skills fresh. That’s important because it’s not possible to practice the skills they need for emergency scenarios on a daily basis. 

———

“It’s like training a pilot. You hope a pilot will never have to make an emergency landing, but if the time comes, you want them to be prepared.”

– Project Manager, Allseas

———

Typically, this kind of training has a limited lifespan in terms of impact – hence the need for refresher training. It’s generally most effective shortly after it’s been completed, which is why the refresher training, using the simulators, is so vital. The Tree C Simulator Framework gives Allseas total flexibility to simulate different emergency scenarios to meet the needs of their operations. 

Provoking a real human response 

The real challenge with this type of training is being able to recreate the human aspect of operations, including the stress involved with an actual emergency. So far, it’s been interesting to observe the responses of new recruits. They’re shown how to perform and maneuver – such as slipping a pipe – and then they perform it themselves in the simulation. Even though it’s a simulation, there’s often a real emotional response when it goes wrong. 

———

“All credit to Tree C because they’ve managed to make the simulation so real that our trainees are still taken aback by the emergency.”

– Project Manager, Allseas

———

The beauty of the simulator is that trainees can practice the same maneuver over and over again until they get it right, without being put in danger or risking damage to real-life equipment and operations. The setup is also highly flexible. In fact, it can be taken one level deeper. 

It’s possible to position the trainees in one room, and the trainer, with camera views of the simulator in real-time, in another. On top of that, all the communications involved – telephones, radios, clear comms and so on – can also be simulated in real life with scripted actors in the role on the other end of the line. For example, they might play the role of a fire team member on the ship.    

From pilot to practice 

The pipelay aspect of Allseas’ training sim is hugely important, yet highly complex, and technically challenging. Imagine a pipeline at 3 km water depth. 4 km to 5 km of pipe is suspended. To fully understand the shape, it needs to be divided into small sections of around 4 meters. For each section, the shape has to be calculated in around 10 milliseconds, otherwise the simulator will slow down.

———

“Pipelay is extremely hard to simulate, but the Tree C software manages to do so in a very similar way to the software we use for engineering, but in real-time.”

– Project Manager, Allseas

———

The initial pilot was designed to be challenging so Allseas could see what Tree C Technology could actually do. It began with an early version of the Solitaire vessel. Work focussed on the tensioners because, at that time, those operators did not have a structured training program. As exercises were completed, the simulator – developed by Tree C – could be fine-tuned. Allseas was able to see what worked well and what needed to be refined. 

One feature that needed work was the ability to reuse an emergency scenario by exporting and importing it into different training programs – which Tree C enabled. Another aspect was the ability to refine machinery in the simulator to give it a more realistic look and feel – like the effect of pushing a particular button or operating a piece of equipment. 

In fact, real-life experiences from trainers and operators are used to provide feedback to Tree C who then make updates to the simulator. This means continuous improvement of the simulator based on in-company knowhow and experience.  

Interested in what a powerful yet flexible simulator framework could do for your offshore and subsea training program? Speak to a Tree C simulator specialist