About TOWMASTERS.nl

Our Identity: We are an alliance of seasoned professionals, including Towmasters, Mooring Masters, Offshore Construction Managers, Client Representatives, and Marine Operations Managers. Our team is diverse in nationality and brings together a collective experience exceeding 160 years. Our expertise spans sea towage, anchor and chain management, hook-ups, float overs, skid on/off operations, mobilizations, and project management within the Oil & Gas and renewable energy sectors, both offshore and at the shipyard.

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Our Role: As your comprehensive hub for overseeing and implementing the maritime aspects of your Offshore Project, we deliver expertise, efficiency, and proven methods, along with a vast network of specialists and reliable subcontractor connections. We streamline processes, prevent unnecessary loss, and circumvent delays caused by lack of experience, inefficiency, and hazardous practices. Our approach not only saves time but also ensures significant cost savings for your project.”

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We don the boilersuit of your brand, stepping into the role of your delegates for all the tasks outlined below. Our services extend from the engineering stage right through to the hook-up phase, ensuring seamless assistance throughout.

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Engineering and Project Management: The Marine Operations Manager.

Field Layout: We provide guidance in fine-tuning the final positioning of your asset, considering installation requirements, regional meteorological constraints, and reducing complexities during the hook-up process.

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Expert Engineering Support: We offer comprehensive engineering support and oversee all maritime-related challenges. Our expertise encompasses every phase of the project, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and critical milestones. We handle Transport & Installation (T&I), Module Hoisting, deck arrangements, and the requisite machinery, including moorings and tensioning winches. We also supervise shipyard operations, upholding the highest standards of quality and safety throughout the project’s duration. Additionally, we provide informed recommendations for subcontractor selection, drawing from our deep understanding of offshore T&I operations.

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Pre-Design: We craft foundational designs for subcontractors, forming the bedrock upon which detailed engineering is developed. This ensures robust methodologies and minimizes both engineering duration and expenses.

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Project Simulations: We conduct comprehensive simulations for all Transport & Installation (T&I) maneuvers using our proprietary Wärtsilä bridge mission and aft deck simulators. This allows us to determine the most effective installation strategies under anticipated weather conditions and to explore the operational thresholds for installation hook-up by testing against extreme weather, sea states, and currents. We have the capability to construct your asset with precision and navigate it through simulations. Our resources include a ready fleet of tugs, or we can custom-build tugs to your specifications for T&I trials, identifying operational and weather-dependent limitations. Moreover, we offer specialized training sessions for your staff, focusing on the intricacies of loading, transportation, anchor handling, and asset hook-up procedures.

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Project Documentation: Leveraging our extensive collective experience, we develop reliable tow plans along with installation and hook-up documentation, maintaining full oversight of all materials. Our manuals are crafted for clarity, consolidating all necessary information in one place without the need for external references, ensuring accessibility and traceability for all involved parties.

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Safe Haven: Additionally, we manage the selection of secure harbors and sheltering options that may be required throughout the journey.

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Mooring Solutions: We facilitate mooring solutions tailored to your needs. Acting as your proxy, we collaborate closely with your chosen subsea contractors, effectively directing them through both the engineering and practical stages of anchor installation (including suction, torpedo, Stevshark, etc.) and chain deployment. Our preliminary engineering work lays the groundwork for your selected contractor’s detailed engineering, which we steer towards the most efficient and optimized execution.

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SIMOPS: We devise a Simultaneous Operations (Simops) document that orchestrates crane, chain, and vessel operations to ensure they proceed smoothly without interference. Need to integrate a flotel? We seamlessly include it, along with the placement of the gangway. We establish 500-meter zones and protocols for approach, radio communication, and all necessary procedures in a clear and comprehensible manner, all while adhering to your company’s regulations.

 

HIRA: We orchestrate and conduct Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRAs), leveraging our extensive knowledge and experience to mitigate risks. This proactive approach prevents the inefficiencies and time loss associated with unsuitable methodologies, ensuring smooth project execution from start to finish.

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Building/on the yard: The OCM.

Mooring at the Shipyard: We oversee the entire mooring process, ensuring that both the plan and execution are flawless. We inspect the quay and bollards for integrity, actively manage the mooring operations on-site, and promptly update mooring configurations in response to any changes in asset positioning. Our commitment is to maintain the safety and stability of your asset, even in adverse weather conditions.

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Expertise in Heavy Lifting: Our team possesses extensive knowledge in heavy lifting operations. Acting as Offshore Construction Managers (OCMs), we meticulously supervise the loading and placement of modules, ensuring precision and safety.

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Tug and Vessel Selection: We carefully select and vet tugs and installation vessels, presenting you with a curated choice while leaving the final decision in your hands. We oversee the hiring process, Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) assessments, and any other required surveys.

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Offshore Vessel Mobilization: We coordinate the mobilization of your offshore vessels, overseeing conversions and verifying the correct installation of subsea equipment. We also manage start-up testing when necessary.

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Subcontractor Coordination: We facilitate your engagement with subcontractors during skid on/off operations of modules, acting as the interface to ensure smooth collaboration and communication.

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Barge Vetting and Sea Readiness: We are responsible for the vetting of barges and preparing both barge and cargo for sea readiness, ensuring all Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) requirements are met.

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Tow Wire Installation: We ensure the proper installation of tow wires and emergency tow wires, prioritizing the safety and preparedness of your towing operations.

 

T&I: The Tow and Mooring Masters, and the OCM.

Anchor and Chain Mobilization: We handle the preparation and loading of chains and anchors at the shipyard, representing your interests during the layout and placement of the anchor pattern. We oversee the installation of conventional anchors and ensure the correct positioning of suction/torpedo type anchors. During the as-laid survey, we verify that the chains and anchor systems meet engineering specifications and remain untwisted.

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TMS Implementation: We establish Tug Management System (TMS) controls onboard to ensure the safety of transit and the efficacy of communication.

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PPU Navigation Setup: Our Portable Pilot Unit (PPU) navigation system can be installed in the towmaster’s control room, and we can equip all involved vessels with this system to maintain comprehensive control over their movements and the asset’s positioning during heading control or station keeping.

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Sail Away and Transit Management: We place towmasters onboard to oversee the sail away and transit, ensuring a smooth and safe journey.

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Contingency Management: We handle contingency plans, including sheltering or unscheduled port visits, drawing on our past experience in managing such events.

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Port and Anchorage Arrival: Upon arrival at ports or anchorages, we ensure the selection of appropriate tugs for anchoring assistance and take care of all nautical requirements.

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Hook-Up Execution: We scrutinize your subcontractors’ anchor pattern engineering and hook-up methodologies, safeguarding your asset against risks and minimizing the duration of vulnerability during the transfer of anchor lines. Additionally, we conduct station keeping and heading control during hook-up and chain maintenance and oversee chain exchanges, maintaining procedural integrity and quality standards.