As the industry evolves and offshore wind farms move further from land, risks increase and the challenges for maintaining effective communication and managing health and safety become heightened. SeaRoc Group has launched SeaHub - a unique communications and logistic data solution and an industry-first for the offshore renewables sector.

The benefits of developing wind farm projects far offshore are clear, but doing so emphasizes the importance for having the most robust and reliable communication systems. To maintain the highest levels of safety and efficiency you need dependable voice and data communications that reach every corner of offshore operations.

Remote, far shore locations pose bigger risks and challenge the strength of communication links. Not only this, but new offshore wind developments further from shore are also unlikely to have access to existing structures on which to base a communications platform or have the infrastructure to link to shore.

Typically a radio based communications system will cover a radius of 20 miles from its transmitter/receiver. If this is located onshore, it drastically limits effective communication capabilities, essential for project efficiency and personnel safety.

The SeaHub system, deployed by SeaRoc Group, utilises the latest enhancements of its SeaPlanner software, which sets out to centralise, standardise, automate and make equipment easily deployable, subsequently reducing costs and ensuring safety for the people working offshore from day one.

Self-supporting
SeaHub consists of unmanned, mobile containers that house all required equipment for reliable communications and logistical data sharing for far offshore projects.

SeaPlanner integrates important project information for complete real-time visibility of site activity including personnel tracking, certification, asset transfers, vessel and helicopter tracking, man over board and system alarms.

SeaHub contains several autonomous safety systems including fire suppression, gas detection and temperature control, all of which are monitored using the SeaPlanner software.

SeaHub has the ability to drive down costs with the introduction of standardisation and centralisation as well as the continuous monitoring and implementation of reliable data collection and analysis platforms.

SeaPlanner presents the ability to manage multiple projects, either a geographically located cluster, or a dispersed portfolio of projects, through a centralised system - this enables clients to easily standardise project design and operation, as well as share the costs across projects. This can reduce the need for multiple systems being used on a project, as well as encourage greater collaboration amongst project stakeholders.

What is so unique and beneficial about SeaHub is that the complete system is entirely mobile, meaning communications and logistical data can cover a radius of 20 miles from wherever the container is installed, be that onboard a guard vessel, on an offshore platform or at remote land-based locations.

It provides a highly reliable and robust communications system for mission critical activities, maintaining the highest levels of safety and efficiency for operations far from shore. The solution is based on standard 8' shipping container modules and can therefore be easily shipped and installed anywhere in the world.

An additional benefit to the SeaHub communication system is that it may be reused, either deployed at a fixed location, such as on the offshore substation once it is grid connected, to provide the permanent communications solution for the site, or on the next construction project.

This solution, with the use of SeaPlanner provides the ability for round-the-clock monitoring. Data is gathered and transferred back to onshore coordination centres for immediate action as required.

Whilst applicable to any offshore construction, SeaHub is unique to the offshore renewable industry. Deployed onto its first offshore wind farm in the UK earlier this year, this unique concept for effective communications addresses key issues for constructing and operating wind farms further from shore.