Damping systems help launch support vessels

Specialised engineering company, SE
Hydraulics, and specialist in motion
and control technologies, Parker
Hannifin, have partnered to develop
a passive damping system to protect
crew members working on BP’s
latest Regional Support Vessels
(RSVs). Used in conjunction with
the davit mechanisms on each of
four RSVs, the damping systems
enable Autonomous Rescue
Recovery Craft (ARRCs) to be
deployed quickly and safely, often in
the harshest operating conditions.

The passive damping systems
effectively prevent harmonic
oscillations from occurring by using
two mechanical arms or fingers per
ARRC. These arms form an integral
part of the launch system and face
outwards on to the inflatable
sponson of the ARRCs, providing
resistance to the rolling motion and
rising and falling as each ARRC is
deployed or recovered.