PODx heading control case study

In December 2020, Gall Thomson manufactured and supplied a bespoke Quick Release Mooring PODx (Powered Offshore Disconnect) for an FPSO heading control application in Europe to ALP Maritime Services specialist in the field of Ocean Towing, Offshore Positioning and Mooring of Floating Platforms, Heavy Transport and Salvage operations.

PODx is a quick mooring release system that can be retrofitted between two shackles for temporary or permanent use.

• Short timeline to manufacture and supply a 250Tons load PODx with HPU (push-button emergency release power unit), control lines and shackles.
• Short timeline for development of all engineering documentation for safe PODx use on this specific heading control application.
• Use of compact H-link to go through narrow fairlead.
• Retrofit of PODx to be undertaken without affecting FPSO production.

This FPSO operator in Europe required heading control assistance during maintenance operations. The Anchor Handling Tug specialist ALP Maritime Services was contracted to support this heading control operation and saw the need to use a mooring disconnection device should an emergency arise.

There was a short timeline to install a proven quick release mooring device on a temporary basis on an existing FPSO vessel with limited deck space. The FPSO fairlead was also too small to accommodate a 250Tons shackle following a quick release mooring activation.

Release options available:

Option 1: Traditional Quick Release Hooks

The requirement for a temporary application on the bow of the FPSO meant that a traditional quick release hook would not have been a quick and viable economical solution. There are also technical drawbacks with welding a large device on a producing FPSO without impact on the offtake schedule and safety.

Option 2: SMIT bracket and sledgehammer use in emergency situations

SMIT brackets are useful points for rigging to connect mooring lines/towing chains for offshore commissioning, heading control and towage operations.

In certain FPSO operations, SMIT brackets can be used for station keeping and heading control operations.

Typical SMIT manual operated towing bracket design as defined by OCIMF

A PODx specified to 250Tons load was manufactured and supplied in four weeks and retrofitted on the FPSO deck within days. The Anchor Handling Tugs are now performing the Heading Control operation safely; in line with OCIMF FPSO Heading Control Guidelines

To download a copy of OCIMF FPSO heading control guidelines visit:

OCIMF FPSO heading control guidelines