Scottish Enterprise backs big thinkers to achieve even bigger success. If your business has the vision, Scottish Enterprise will be right behind you.
Pict Offshore’s vision is a safer way of working for offshore wind platform technicians. Supporting the energy transition is a key mission for the company – and that’s an ambition Scottish Enterprise shares.
Mitigating an every-day risk
Until now, there has only been one way for offshore wind technicians to get between crew transfer vessels (CTVs) and offshore wind platforms. This involves the technician climbing from the CTV onto a ladder attached to the side of the platform in what’s called a ‘transfer’.
Each day in the offshore wind industry, tens of thousands of ‘transfers’ like these take place. Despite rigorous health and safety precautions, this process can be dangerous, particularly in bad weather or rough waters.
The founders of Pict Offshore knew there had to be a safer way of getting technicians onto platforms. In 2016, they began developing it.
Pict Offshore’s solution
Pict’s team designed and developed the Get Up Safe (GUS) system, partly inspired by a piece of equipment already used in offshore wind called a ‘walk to work’ gangway.
In simple terms, GUS is a small crane with automatic heave compensation and sensors that monitor the position of a vessel’s deck during transfers. Technicians are attached to the crane using a safety harness and can then be lifted between the vessel and platform.
While this is happening, the crane responds in real time to deck movements, extending or reducing the line to keep the technician safe. This eases the safety risks associated with sudden deck movement. It also spares technicians long and difficult ladder climbs, saving time and physical effort, and further reducing risk.
Global potential
Knowing which opportunities to pursue and which markets to target can be a challenge for businesses with big ambitions. That’s where Scottish Enterprise can help.
It’s been working with Pict Offshore since the early days of GUS, connecting the company with its services, advice, and funding.
Philip Taylor, Managing Director at Pict Offshore, says: “Scottish Enterprise has been critical for our growth. It’s a partner with us in this journey and it’s great to work with an enterprise that has matching ambitions.”
Scottish Enterprise are always on the lookout for big thinkers to back. How big are your ambitions?
