OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Proponent:
Tim Waguespack
Approver(s): Ross Sommer
Rick Johnston
Competency Assessment Required:

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Issue Date:
May 2011
Audit Date:
May 2014
YES

Revision:

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0

PURPOSE ............................................................................................................. 2

2.0

SCOPE .................................................................................................................. 2

3.0

ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS ......................................................................... 2

4.0

OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES .................................................................... 3

4.1
Transportation by Boat............................................................................... 3
4.2
Helicopter Safety and Helicopter Underwater Egress Training .................. 4
4.2.1 General Helicopter Safety Guidelines ............................................ 4
4.2.2 Boarding and Departing Helicopter Guidelines .............................. 4
4.2.3 Helicopter Safety ............................................................................ 5
4.3
Water Safety and Survival ......................................................................... 6
4.3.1 Falls from Platforms ....................................................................... 7
4.3.2 Water Entry from Heights ............................................................... 7
4.3.3 Hypothermia ................................................................................... 7
4.3.4 Swing Rope Transfers .................................................................... 9
4.4
Training ...................................................................................................... 9

5.0

REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 10

6.0

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ............................................................................. 10

7.0

REVISION NOTES .............................................................................................. 11

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1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this Offshore Travel Guidelines document is to provide guidance to
personnel traveling to and working at locations in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM).
Individuals traveling to and working at these locations may accidentally enter the
water and become exposed to the associated hazards of drowning, helicopter
egress, and environmental exposure. The requirements of this written document
will assist in mitigating these hazards.

2.0 SCOPE
This document will apply to all Nexen Petroleum USA, Inc. (Nexen) employees and
contractors that travel to or work on offshore facility(s) located in the GoM.

3.0 ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS

HSE&SR:
Health, Safety, Environment, and Social Responsibility
HUET:
Helicopter Underwater Egress Training
Hypothermia:
Dangerously low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold
IADC:
International Association of Drilling Contractors
Nexen:
Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc.
OOC:
Offshore Operator Committee
PFD:
Personal Flotation Device
PIC:
Person in Charge
PPE:
Personal Protective Equipment

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4.0 OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES

In order to be prepared for an emergency or survival situation, employees must
become familiar with emergency procedures. Nexen employees and contractors
are subject to risk when working over inland waters or offshore. For this reason, all
personnel that work on or around the water will receive Water Survival - HUET
training as well as an offshore orientation when they arrive at the facility. These
guidelines are meant to serve as a reminder or refresher and are by no means
complete or comprehensive. In an emergency situation, your training must control
your actions.
Nexen has described the requirements for work clothes and personal protective
equipment (PPE) for specific jobs and locations in its Offshore Safe Work
Practices Handbook.
4.1 Transportation by Boat
Nexen employees and contractors that use a boat for transportation to and from an
offshore facility must follow these guidelines:
a) Adhere to:
i.

Passenger manifest procedures.

ii. Seating arrangements.

iii. Luggage, cargo, pollution control, and smoking rules.
iv. Safe conduct during transit.
v. Swing rope/personnel basket procedures.
b) The boat captain has complete authority at all times.
c) Use safe loading/disembarking procedures.
d) Use US Coast Guard (USCG) approved personal flotation devices (PFD).
All rules and regulations established by federal, state, and municipal agencies
must be strictly observed at all times. Firearms, illegal drugs, and alcoholic
beverages are prohibited on all helicopters, boats, and offshore facilities.
Employees must report all prescription medication to their supervisors when
reporting to duty.
The captain of the vessel is always in charge and shall brief passengers on
manifest procedures, safe-loading procedures, use of USCG-approved PFD,
personnel seating, and storage of personnel luggage and cargo.

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4.2 Helicopter Safety and Helicopter Underwater Egress Training

4.2.1 General Helicopter Safety Guidelines
Nexen employees and contractors that use a helicopter for transportation to and
from an offshore facility must follow these general guidelines:
a) When transferring by helicopter, the pilot is always in command.
b) Inform the pilot and dispatcher if you are first-time passenger.
c) Store and secure belongings in the cargo area.
d) Long pants are required to enter the helicopter.
e) Sleeveless shirts or tank tops are prohibited.
f) Petroleum or chemical-saturated clothing or shoes is prohibited.
g) Proper shoes are required no thongs, sandals, slippers, or flip-flops.
h) Don the required in-flight PPE, including:
i. Hearing protection, such as ear muffs or ear plugs
ii. Seat belt
iii. Inflatable PFD
i) All seating arrangements are assigned by the pilot or the Helicopter Landing
Officer.
j) Do not smoke on the heliport landing area onshore and on the landing
platform offshore.
k) The use of all tobacco products are prohibited onboard the helicopter.
l) Read the safety briefing card before taking off. Note the type and location of
all emergency exits.
m) Follow the pilots instructions at all times. The pilot has the authority to refuse
passage to anyone considered to be an unsafe passenger.
n) Declare any magnetic or hazardous material.
o) Under no circumstances are firearms, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs
permitted aboard the helicopters or at any worksite.
p) Carry pipes, poles, and other long items horizontally so that they do not strike
the rotor.
q) Take care not to damage the helicopters floats when loading and unloading
your luggage and cargo.
4.2.2 Boarding and Departing Helicopter Guidelines
When boarding or departing a helicopter, use the following guidelines:
a) When arriving to the heliport, check in with dispatcher.

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b) Accurate weight for both person and luggage is needed when signing in on
the manifest.
c) Remove and stow headgear before approaching a helicopter.
d) Always embark in a crouched position in the pilots view and on his command.
e) Never walk around the tail rotor or under the tail boom of the helicopter.
f) Keep clear of the landing zone or helipad until the helicopter has landed.
g) Approach or depart from a helicopter:
i. Only after the pilot has given permission.
ii. Remain well clear of the tail rotor at all times. Approach and disembark
from the helicopter toward the front of the craft. Under no circumstances
should you walk under the tail rotor or tail boom.
iii. In a crouched position well below the rotor tips. In high winds or unusual
conditions, the main rotor blades can dip below six feet level anywhere
around the aircraft.
h) Stay in view of the pilot at all times when approaching or departing the
helicopter.
i) Provide the pilot with all information requested before boarding a helicopter.
This may include your name, total weight (including your gear), your company
affiliate and destination.
j) Remain well clear of the tail rotor at all times. Do not walk under the tail rotor
or tail boom under any circumstances.
k) Keep a firm grip on all hand carried articles while walking to and from the
helicopter.
l) Use the step to get in and out of the aircraft.
4.2.3 Helicopter Safety
When using helicopters, passengers must:
a) Be HUET trained every 5 years.
b) Make themselves aware of all exits and safety equipment locations upon
boarding the flight
c) Always enter or leave the helicopter in the safe access/egress area. This is
explained during the pre-flight briefing. As a rule, this is at an angle of
approximately 45 degrees to the helicopter, avoiding the tail rotor area.
Exercise special tail rotor caution when retrieving baggage from the tail
section of the helicopter
d) Secure lightweight articles, such as coats, hats or other loose items inside
passenger baggage to prevent them from being sucked into the rotor blades
or blown overboard.
e) Respect flight provided safety equipment. Do not tamper with this equipment.
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f) Maintain windsocks, helideck markings, and lighting in accordance with the

applicable government regulations.
g) Keep the helideck clean and free of protruding objects at all times. The
surface must be of a non-skid nature.
h) Do not use the crane during helicopter operations.
i) Carry only one piece of luggage from the helideck at any one time. Always
keep one hand on the handrail.
4.3 Water Safety and Survival
Nexen personnel that work on or around water will be issued a PFD. The PFD
must be carried with you at all times when traveling to and working on, around, or
near water. All personnel must adhere to the following:
a) Each employee working on or near water must have a USCG-approved PFD
(Refer to Table 1 Types of Personal Flotation Devices). All personnel must
wear a PFD while transferring to and from structures located over water.
b) Each employee working on or near the water must wear an approved work
vest. Work vests are considered U.S. Coast Guard Type 5 PFD.
Type 1 work vests are PFDs that are commonly seen at the muster stations on
offshore platforms. Type 1 PFDs provide the most buoyancy. Generally
speaking however, they are too bulky to allow persons to work comfortably.
When evacuating from platforms Type 1 PFDs are the preferred choice of
personal flotation devices.
Do not jump into the water unless it is the only means of evacuation. When in
the water, stay calm, stay in a group, conserve energy, conserve body heat,
and await assistance.
Table 1 Types of Personal Flotation Devices

Type 1 - This is the most buoyant design. It allows the

wearer to float high in the water. It was designed to turn
most unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the
water. The bright orange color is more visible to rescuers.
This PFD tends to be bulky and less comfortable
Type 2 This PFD is less buoyant that the Type 1; however,
it can turn many unconscious wearers to a face-up position
in the water. It is less bulky and more comfortable than a
Type 1.
Type 3 This PFD is generally the most comfortable for
continuous wear and provides more freedom of movement.
It is not the best for use in rough water because of the
position of the wearer in the water. The wearer may have to
tilt the head back to avoid a face-down position in the water.

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Type 4 This PFD is a throwable device to use as a backup to a wearable PFD. The user must hold on to the device
and is not designed for an unconscious person. This PFD
cannot be used for long periods of time in rough water.
Type 5 This PFD is called a work vest. It is used for
working where freedom of movement is needed and is good
for continuous wear. Inflatable vests are also in this
category.
4.3.1 Falls from Platforms
When a fall from an offshore platform occurs, a person must observe the
following guidelines if possible:
a) Orient yourself in the water, and then, if safe to do so, move under the
platform away from any boats.
b) Look for rescue equipment and listen for instructions.
c) Avoid swimming long distances. Survival depends on the conservation of
energy.
4.3.2 Water Entry from Heights
Abandonment of a platform by jumping into the water can be hazardous and
should only be done if there is no other means of escape. If a jump is necessary,
observe the following procedures:
a) Before jumping, get as close as possible to the water.
b) Remove your safety (hard) hat. It could strike your head or face upon entry
causing injury.
c) Put on and firmly secure a PFD, if time permits.
d) Look to see that your targeted landing area is clear of other personnel,
protruding objects, and debris.
e) Protect your mouth and nose by placing the palm of your hand directly over
your mouth and pinch your nose with the thumb and finger.
f) Secure the PFD by clamping a free arm across your chest and grasping the
shoulder strap of the PFD.
g) Do not dive. Look directly ahead at the horizon and stand straight. Take a
deep breath. Jump feet first, keeping your body erect and your ankles
crossed or your legs together.
4.3.3 Hypothermia
Exposure to water may cause loss of body heat and hypothermia. The best
defense against hypothermia is to avoid going into the water. However, if you fall
into the water follow these guidelines:

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a) Do not discard clothing that will help trap heat.

b) Avoid moving as much as possible.
c) Wear a PFD to:
i.

Reduces the need to move.

ii. Helps insulate against heat loss.

d) Draw your knees up into the H.E.L.P. position (Heat Escape Lessening
Position) which helps to conserve body heat. (Refer to Figure 1 H.E.L.P.
and Huddle Positions.)
e) If several persons are in the water, huddle together to conserve body heat
(Refer to Figure 1).

Figure 1 H.E.L.P. and Huddle Positions

A person suffering from hypothermia should be given assistance as soon as
possible by doing the following:
a) Strip off all the wet clothing.
b) Wrap the person in a warm sleeping bag or blankets.
c) Try to keep the person awake.
d) Do not give the victim alcohol, warm drinks, or food. These do not help
warm the person and they can pose a choking hazard.
The Hypothermia Chart (Refer to Table 2 Hypothermia Chart) gives the
approximate amount of time a person has until they are exhausted or the
expected time of survival if they are in the water.

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Table 2 Hypothermia Chart

Water
Temperature (F)
32.5

Time till
Exhaustion
Under 15 minutes

32.5-40.0
40-50
50-60
60-70
70-80
Over 80

15-30 minutes
30-60 minutes
1-2 hours
2-7 hours
3-12 hours
Indefinitely

Expected time of
Survival
Under 15-45
minutes
30-90 minutes
1-3 hours
1-6 hours
2-40 hours
3 hours -indefinitely

4.3.4 Swing Rope Transfers

A swing rope is commonly used to transfer personnel from boats to the landing
area of the platform. Using a swing rope can be demanding, especially in
moderate to heavy sea conditions. Follow all severe weather restriction
guidelines.
Note

Transfers should occur only during daylight unless approved by

person in charge.

Transfer by the swing rope:

a) Deck hand should always be available for swing transfers.
b) Personnel shall face where the boat is bumping against the offshore
structure, if seas allow boat to bump the structure, or where boat is at a safe
position as determined by the Boat Captain.
c) Use correct rope for outboard or inboard swing.
d) Have both hands and arms free, catch the knotted rope when the boat is at
top of a swell, and swing to the structure by pushing off from the boat with
your feet.
e) Do not let the swing rope get between your legs. Always keep feet and legs
clear of the structure's landing.
f) Ensure there is proper lighting of the boat or platform landing area.
g) Wear a Type 1 PFD while transferring.
Note

Do not carry luggage, tools, or any other items while

transferring by swing rope.

4.4 Training
The Health, Safety, Environment, and Social Responsibility (HSE&SR) Department
is responsible for obtaining the documentation that the training has been
performed and is responsible for any employee training required by this

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recommended practice/written program. A copy of relevant training documentation

must be furnished to the HSE&SR department from those employees whose work
location varies and will be stored at the Nexen Lafayette office.
The training will follow standard instruction and, at a minimum, contain the training
requirements established by:
a) API RP T-1 Recommended Practice for Orientation Program for Personnel
Going Offshore for the First Time
b) API RP T-4 Recommended Practice for Training of Offshore Personnel in NonOperating Emergencies
c) API RP T-7 Recommended Practice for Training of Personnel in Rescue of
Persons in Water.
Currently, training will be provided by authorized third-party providers. Training
not provided by the providers listed below will have to be approved by Nexens
HSE&SR Department. The following local third-party providers are:
a) Safety Management Systems, 2916 N. University Avenue, Lafayette, LA
70507
b) Occupational Safety & Training, Inc., 1209 Tool Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560
c) Marine Survival and Training Center, P.O. Box 42890, Lafayette LA 70504

5.0 REFERENCES
The following references are relevant to the implementation of this document:
API RP T1, Recommended Practice for Orientation Program for Personnel Going
Offshore for the First Time
API RP T-4, Recommended Practice for Training of Offshore Personnel in NonOperating Emergencies
API RP T-7, Recommended Practice for Training of Personnel in Rescue of
Persons in Water

6.0 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

There are no documents to support the implementation this document.

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7.0 REVISION NOTES

Revision

Section(s)

OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Description of Changes

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