Offshore Experience

Tom has worked on oil platforms in Cook Inlet, in the Gulf of Alaska, on the Unocal Monopod platform. This is a permanent platform with just one leg, offloading supply boats from the platform. The water tides are 30 feet high, and runs approximately 13 mph. In the winter time chunks of ice weighing 30 to 40 tons flow back-and-forth with the tide. Off loading took special care and timing with the ice flow. The ice flow could move the boat, and sweep it away with the ice, so reading the tide, and the ice flow, communicating with the Captain, the crane operator had a great responsibility. Working in the Gulf of Alaska, near Middleton Island, on the jack platform, the J.C. Marthens. It had eight legs. That is where storms are born, and effected the weather in the Northwest United States. It was not uncommon to work in storms with the wind blowing and the wave action up and down. The men on the deck of the boat had a difficult time standing. Again, in this kind of weather, the crane operator had to know how to read the wave action, and know just when to take the load off the boat. Some of the platforms he worked on in Cook Inlet were, the George F. Ferris, the Monopod, and the J .C. Marthans, he has also worked in Kachemak Bay, Pudhoe Bay, Prince William Sound, Norton Sound, and Kotzebue Sound, these were on floating barges.

He also worked in the Bering Sea, off the Aleutians Islands where he did offloading of barges, again, in the harbor the water is not always calm. The weather is bad and you could look out over the water and see different types of weather rain, sun, and clouds. If you didn’t like the weather, all you had to do was wait 15 minutes, and it would change to rain, fog, and a cloudy over cast. He would travel to the states, and load barges for trips to above the artic circle. We all have seen the program, “ The Most Dangerous Jobs” of the King Crab Boats. He was there riding the tugs. So, Tom has some great experience, and good knowledge that he passes along to people he trains on water.

In your training you will be on the water, so that you actually have the ideal situation for your training, and learn to read the water.

The operator will be introduced to API, ASME Standards, OSHA regulations, and the Manufacturer’s requirements for the cranes you will operate.

Standards Referenced and Regulations

• API Recommended Practice 2D
• OSHA 1917.45- Cranes and Derricks
• ASME B30-6 Derricks
• ASME B30-8 Floating Cranes and Derricks
• ASME B30-9 Slings
• Types of Lifts
• Making a Lift Plan
• Operator Qualification
• Pre-Operational Inspection
• Operator Responsibility
• Terminology/Components
• Understanding Load Charts
• Utilizing the Crane’s Full Potential
• Structural Rating v. Stability
• Hand Signals
• Safe Operating Procedures
• Rigging (Proper and Safety)
• Boom Assembly and Disassembly
• Securing the Crane

To schedule the best training available—classrooms and hands-on—and find out where programs are held, cost of program, testing and certification.

Call 843-871-8877