Development of A Pressure-Based Automatic Emergency Release Sensor System to Improve Safety in Recovery Buoy Operations on AHTS Vessels

Abstract

The buoy recovery process on the Anchor Handling Tug and Supply (AHTS) vessel is one of the important operations in supporting offshore oil drilling activities. This activity involves using devices such as a buoy catcher and a work wire connected to a shackle to lift the buoy to be recovered. However, operational problems often occur because the operator's manual response to the wire tension monitor is less than optimal, increasing the risk of equipment failure, including breaking off the buoy catcher or other towing equipment. This condition endangers crew safety and reduces operational efficiency. This research aims to develop an automatic sensor capable of detecting excessive pressure which can also be set to a maximum of 3x the SWL of the towing device used during the recovery process and provide a response in the form of automatic release of the hook when it is safe pressure limit is exceeded. This system is designed to improve work safety and prevent potential equipment damage. The research approach used is the Research and Development (R&D) method, which includes data collection through observation, questionnaires, and animation-based simulations to visualize system performance. The research results show that the developed automatic sensor system can significantly improve buoy recovery operational safety by eliminating dependence on manual operator responses. By integrating this technology, shipping companies can create new safety and operational efficiency standards, especially for AHTS vessels operating in high-risk environments.