About Offshore Vessel Inspection Database (OVID)
The Offshore Vessel Inspection Database has been developed by OCIMF in response to a request from its members to provide a database of offshore inspections broadly following the format of SIRE. Recognition that the offshore industry has different processes and procedures than the tanker world for assurance and chartering has been taken into account.
The aim of OVID is to provide a robust web based inspection tool and database of inspection reports; this will be underpinned with professional, trained and accredited inspectors. In the long term it is an aspiration that OVID will form a database that is central to the selection and assurance of offshore vessels enhancing the safety of operations in the industry.
Benefits of OVID
OVID has been designed to provide a number of positive benefits to OCIMF / OGP Members and vessel managers. By utilising a database where inspection reports are available to OVID participating members experience has demonstrated that inspection numbers will drop over time.
Assurance checks as a part of the chartering process may be speeded up as the assurance personnel have access instantly to credible information on the vessel and its safety performance.
OCIMF members have cooperated to develop a common inspection document and format that will eliminate the need for inspectors to conduct inspections using a core document and client specific supplements; this should simplify the inspection process for both inspectors and ships staff and also provide assurance personnel in the oil companies with increased confidence in the inspection report content.
The provision of a document detailing vessel/ unit principal dimensions and equipment will give vessel operators the ability to ‘show case’ its capabilities and provide a tool to project teams to pre screen vessels that are capable of undertaking the required activities. Having this document controlled by the vessel/unit operator allows for rapid amendment to reflect upgrading activities, and hence allowing project teams to quickly evaluate the vessels new capabilities.
Proactive owners of offshore vessels will quickly see the benefit of keeping an active inspection on the database as it will streamline the pre chartering process and, for competent vessel operators reinforce their positive image with the clients.