Bibby Offshore Deploys New Diving Safety System

Subsea services provider Bibby Offshore has become the first to deploy a pioneering diving safety system in the North Sea.

The company said it provided its divers with the Compact Bailout Rebreathing Apparatus (COBRA) during a recent contract with BP North Sea. COBRA, developed by JFD, is a simple, reliable bailout system which offers divers up to 45 minutes of fully independent breathing gas in an emergency situation.

Working at depths of up to 110 meters, the Bibby divers using the COBRA system to deliver electrical umbilical installation, subsea control module (SCM) change-out, and production and controls system integrity testing, deisolation and commissioning services.

Bibby Offshore’s deployment of the system is a first for the North Sea since its introduction to market last year, with the company playing a key part in testing during 2017.

“The safety of our personnel is paramount at all times. COBRA significantly enhances the time our saturation divers have to return to the diving bell in an emergency situation - a step-change in improving subsea safety and one we will adopt in the future across our fleet,” said Howard Woodcock, chief executive at Bibby Offshore.

“It is imperative that our divers are equipped with the best equipment and leading technology,” Woodcock continued. “Having the full support of the client for the introduction of the COBRA rebreathers during operations on its offshore assets, clearly demonstrates the alignment between the client and Bibby Offshore in an ongoing commitment to advancements in industry safety.”