As illustrated above, the  "earlier" methode for opening  kenter links was by using sledgehammers and hand held punch. Although this is a two man operation, this work was conducted generally safely  by experienced deck workers,  but was still associated with a relatively high risk for personal injury.

Under optimum conditions, i.e. when crew and clothing is unsoiled, the gloves are clean, sledgehammer shaft is dry, the sea are calm  - and that kenter links is sitting normally locked, than this prosess with opening goes relatively safe and ends good.

The problem/- or challenge is that these assumptions changes considerably as the anchor chain is  coming muddy up  to deck from the seabed, the gloves gets wet and slippery,  the same with  sledgehammer shaft and the deck environment and/or the workplace. This together with the kenter links are stucked and the crew must work hard with the sledgehammer to get kenter link opened.

These environmental changes affects the safety on deck considerably and the consequences  will be   increasing  risk of personal injury. It is often  hard work ongoing while  anchor handling and it is normal that the crew must shift to power with the sledgehammer, and the risk for personal injuries occurs  with  fatigue in arms and back.

It is only to imagine what injuries may occur if the sledgehammer slips  -  and forexample hit crew serving the handheld mandrel/punch.

In addition to the danger of immediate injury, we must not ignore the injuries  that occurs later, such as back problems.

All participants in a rig move operation prioritises HSE and have zero injuries to personnel as main objective. As mentioned, there are/or can be huge challenges and risks with opening kenter links.

This is where we believe we can contribute with our tools for safer and more predictiable opening of kenter links. We have the tools for the different phases within opening kenter links, whether mobilization or work offshore.

We belive our solutions can contribute within:  

HSE.  Avoiding fatigue in arms, legs and back. Fatigue in arms in combination with slippery in gloves and/or the invironment on the workplace, gives huge risk for personal injuries.

Our solutions reduces the risk of harming themselves or other. 

One man operated tools with good hit flat and stability are keywords for a good design for safer use with sledgehammer. One-man operated tool gives high score as risk reducer.

Our solution reduces the need for use of flamecutting and the  associated hazards.

Predictably. With good training in using the tool and having a good strategy, then the time that will go to open - or to determine that kenter link will not open-  is known. If the tool is mobilized and ready for use on the deck, gives around 5 minutes to determine this issue.    

Saving equipment. Avoiding flame cutting of the kenter links. Reported from AH-vessel that - in a one year period - avoided flame cutting of around 50 pce. of stucked kenter links by using the Hydraulic Tool.              

Time factor. By its predictability and the ability to open stucked or hard sitting kenter links,  gives reduction in spent time ca. 0,5 - 1 hour i.e. to flamecut a kenter link as last opportunity. 

The tool solutions that we present: 

Soft Mandrel. For use by opening kenter links that is known  as loose, such as single kenter links retrieved from the container at mobilization.

Punch Device .  One man operated tool which gives the crew the opportunity to work safe and independently. This means that other crew is released so that other operations / tasks can be performed simultaneously.

Hydraulic Tool. This tool has a 30 tons Enerpac sylinder which are used to squeeze out the  Kenter-links locking pin that can not be open as normal.

NSP. This is a package with tools primarily for the needs for equipment and kenter link types that are used in the North Sea on the Norwegian and British sectors. The content consists of Soft Mandrel, Punch Device 76mm & 84mm, Hydraulic tool for 76mm and 84mm standard kenter links.