INTERVIEW:
RUD ROV HOOK
SUBSEA LIFTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL RICHIE ENZMANN: David, In our previous edition we reported about our impressions at QSTAR’s in Barcelona using the newest ROV Hook developed by RUD. You have been at the forefront of development of this game-changing product from the beginning, tell us how all this started and why.
new strategies for the Marine & Offshore sector and immediately I identified an ideal opportunity, despite the relative small market volume for this particular piece of hardware, to evidence the immense potential and strength of RUD in being innovative. Thus, yes, we took the challenge.
DAVID JARAMILLO: Well, as in every good product development process, it started with a customer’s request, back to early 2014. One of our customers in the marine sector, Subsea7, approached us, requesting a solution for their rigging issues resulting from the use of conventional ROV-assisted hooks. A long-existing problem, well documented by IMCA and HSE i.a. and which so far no manufacturer was willing to approach. At that time I was quite new at RUD, defining
R.E.: Which were those “issues”? D.J.: Basically, there were two major safety issues to be solved. However, many other important challenges appeared in between as well. Firstly, the so-called “shedding” was a big concern. This means the loss of loads as a result of unintentional opening of the hooks. Secondly, the “snagging” or accidental rigging due to protruding parts, such as an enlarged tip of the hook’s nose and also the very commonly used “monkey fist” attached to the hooks for operation. Both issues pose major operational safety risks when working in deep waters, remotely manipulating sophisticated and expensive equipment in short time windows and due to the extremely challenging operational environment. R.E.: And how was it solved? D.J.: Based on the specified requirements we had to design a complete new type of hook. Putting aside most concepts found in the traditional designs. The outwards opening latch was a key element in preventing shedding, the overall smooth shape aimed at solving the snagging issues. R.E.: Which were the main challenges?
Courtesy of RUD
D.J.: From the beginning, beside operational safety, we based our concept on “ease and speed of use”. We knew this was crucial for the success of the product. Then, at the end of the day the reduced operational time incrementally turns into visible monetary savings for the operators and contractors. The reliability and robustness of the hook played also an essential part in our development objectives.
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