New davit regulations drive offshore market step change

New regulations on davits used in the offshore industry on both sides of the Atlantic are driving a step change in safe davit design, says Norwegian boat handling specialist Vestdavit. Writing in its newsletter Vestdavit says that in the USA API 2 and in Norway NORSOK R002 regulations will come into force from 2015. Both sets of regulations apply to davits and lifting appliances used on offshore installations and specify many new design features and safety systems.


In Norwegian waters, NORSOK R002 will be retrospective, requiring every davit on offshore platforms in Norwegian waters to be inspected and updated to the new standards. Although strictly applying only to fixed installations, the new standards are already being seen as raising the bar for offshore boat handling systems on ships serving in the offshore industry. It is likely that the majority of offshore contractors and labour organisations will demand the same standards of safety on ships as on fixed rigs, and the first OSV fitted with NORSOK-compliant davits is about to enter into service.

 For a copy of Vestdavit's newsletter e mail john@merlinco.com

Vestdavit designs, supplies and supports tailor-made solutions for launching and recovering boats in difficult conditions at sea. Its range of boat handling systems and davits are the first choice of navies, coastguards, seismic survey operators, pilot authorities and offshore operators who need to be able to operate small boats safely from larger vessels. www.vestdavit.no