FLNG operations: drum and brake versus render recovery

Mr Brown said the dynamics of manoeuvring an LNG carrier and a floating LNG structure in deep seas are different from those in enclosed harbours.

In his opinion, the open ocean required a different approach and in these circumstances, he favoured render recovery over drum and brake winches.

Being able to have some slack in the tow rope between the LNG carrier and the FLNG reduces the stresses imposed by the higher waves in the open ocean.

“Render recovery acts like a damper,” he said. “It takes up the strain in the line, and that is why we prefer to use render recovery winches over drum and brake when we are offshore.”

Inshore operations are different and without the dynamic movements, the drum and brake winch set-up works perfectly well, he said.