rope access

Head for heights.

01 Blackpool tower, history.jpg
02 Blackpool, Tower, Maaintenance, rope access, IRATA, climbing, Lee Ramsden, action, industiral, photographer.jpg

Hello,

How are you? Have you had a good week?

Today id like to share some images of a job on Blackpool Tower.

The above image on the left is obviously not one of mine, but wanted to show how things have changed, and thank god that they have.

The guys in the past had little or no working at height protection.

These days we use advanced techniques such as rope access, to access these hard to reach places safely.

03 Blackpool, Tower, Maaintenance, rope access, IRATA, climbing, Lee Ramsden, action, industiral, photographer.jpg
05 Blackpool, Tower, Maaintenance, rope access, IRATA, climbing, Lee Ramsden, action, industiral, photographer.jpg

I hope that you have a good weekend.

Lee

Need access? Use ropes.

Mariner, oil and gas platform, north sea, IRATA; Rope acess; climbing; industrial; workers; construcion; abseiling; climber; Lee Ramsden.jpg
Irish Sea Pioneer; IRATA; Rope acess; climbing; industrial; workers; construcion; abseiling; climber; Lee Ramsden.jpg

Hello,

Hope that you are you well.

Today i thought i would show a couple of images of different rope access teams.

The above image, is a technician abseiling down from working at the top of a leg on a jack up oil and gas platform.

These images may look like fun, but an 80m vertical ladder is not. Ha!

Take care and have a good week.

Lee

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to keep up to date.

Radio silence... Do you copy.... Over.....

radio, ISP, irish sea pioneet, liverpool, dry dock, construction, workers, working at height, rope access, IRATA, abseiling.jpg

Hello,

Radio silence is over, nearly 18 months of not posting, i have an interesting catalogue that i would like to share and update this site with on a fortnightly basis.

Be sure to subscribe to my news letter for future updates.

Newsletters are on a monthly basis, in your inbox on 1st of each month.

No spam just nice images and information about the sites i have been shooting.

The above image is myself as rescue man on an 80 meter high jack up oil rig leg, whilst in dry dock having repairs.

Keep in touch.

Lee

Another trip up Blackpool tower.

Blackpool, Blackpool tower, monochrome, black white, reflection, Lancashire photographer, Lee Ramsden

Hello, id like to share some images from another trip working up Blackpool's tower, repairing the illumination lighting at great height. 

Blackpool council, worker, pressure washing, cleaning, sea front steps, golden mile, lee ramsden

Arrived to site early and so I walked the long way there. Was surprised to see early morning council worker cleaning the front. 

Blackpool tower, Wez, IRATA rope access, climbing, electrician

Ropes set, and decent underway. Always told "don't look down" but you have to in this game. 

Blackpool tower, abseiling, industrial worker, in orange ppe, LEE RAMSDEN
IRATA, rope access, level 3, Blackpool, worker, industrial photographer Lee Ramsden

Today repairs ongoing to the heart light. 

Blackpool tower heart light, illuminations
Blackpool illuminations electronics, control gear, electrician, technician

Sophisticated control gear, power the lighting on the Tower, helps it to change colour and be programmable.

blog, sea gull, blackpool, tower, colour, color, lee ramsden

A spectator while working at height. 


 

Thanks for viewing.

 

Lee

Derrick removal.

Derrick, rigging, lifting, slings installed ready for lift IRATA, rope access, riggers

Hello, 

Today id like to show, the first couple of lifts. 

Above image the rope access riggers, install the cranes lifting equipment. 

derrick lifted off platform, north sea, oil and gas rig
Derrick, remove, lifted with the Saipem 7000, crane, offshore in the north sea
derrick, removal, heavy lift, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, S7000
derrick, sea fastening, welding, on the deck of the S7000

Once landed the derrick is then sea fastened (welded) to the deck of the S7000.

helideck-removal.jpg

The next lift to be completed was the helideck. 

It was amazing to see these huge bits of an oil rig, look almost insignificant against the huge Saipem S7000 cranes. 

 

Thanks

Offshore rope access technicians.

blog, Industrial, rope access, IRATA, trade, offshore, oil and gas, safety, acredited, HSE, health and safety, working at height, WAH, photographer Lee Ramsden

Hello, 

Today id like to show some of the IRATA rope access technicians that were involved in the decommissioning of the BP Miller. 

blog, rope access, selective colour, IRATA, abseiler, offshore, oil and gas industry, under deck, BP Miller, BP, Petrofac, ACN, Saipem, Lee Ramsden

Welding on dead weight supports to the risers. 

Blog, welding on the ropes, rope access, IRATA, abseiling, industrial, lee ramsden, BP Miller, oil and gas rig, north sea, offshore, employment, redundancies, oil and gas industry, BP, Petrofac

Rope access welder cutting a riser. 

rope access, IRATA, technician, PETROFAC, north sea, oil and gas industry, abseiler, climbing, rope, industrial, Lee Ramsden.

Long tiring climb back up. 

Happy rope technicians, rope access, IRATA, working at height, oil and gas industry, industrial photographer, Lee Ramsden

Rope techs at height happy in their work. 

Offshore standby vessel.

Blog, Standby vessel, ship, north sea, Grampain Dee, craig-group, craig group, oil and gas industry, Lee Ramsden, outboard cover, safety

In the UK oil and gas industry, it is a requirement for a standby vessel to be present. These vessels primarily cover helicopter operations and if any work has to be conducted where there is a potential to fail to sea. (known as outboard work). These vessels sit there, day in day out, no matter the weather they provide us with emergency cover and would spring to life and help rescue if the unlikely event ever arose. 

Grampian Dee, offshore, northsea stand by vessel

Offshore Emergency rope access response exercise.

IRATA, rope access, casuilty, dummy, rescue, ermgency team, working at height rescue, plan,  photo by Lee Ramsden

Hello, 

Today we see another emergency exercise. As you can see in the oil and gas industry we regularly drill and test the emergency response plan. 

It is the old adage -  fail to prepare, prepare to fail. 

It is a legal requirement to have a plan on what to do in an emergency, but does it work? 

Testing different scenarios on a regularly basis ensures that the plan works, and keeps the emergency response team skills fresh. 

 

Todays scenario, is in the above image. In this case we are using an inanimate dummy. But it is to practice how to rescue a rope access worker, working under deck. 

IRATA, rope access technician, donning, harness, getting ready, industrial worker, working at height.

IRATA rope access technician donning his harness. 

IRATA, rope access, rescue, level 3, hauling casulty, offshore, photo by Lee Ramsden

The rope access supervisor, using his equipment to haul the pretend casualty up to the deck. 

fire man, moviing casuilty, injured, exercise, practice, industrial photographer.

Platform fire team member safely has hands on the practice casualty. 

Blog, fireteam, emergency response, firstaider first aid, medic, north sea, photo by Lee Ramsden

The platform Medic and his first aid team, practice administrating first aid, and using the different types of stretchers required. 

casuilty on a stretcher, medical team, responding, offshore, oil and gas industry.
emergency response, drill, fireman, firemen, casuilty, Lee ramsden

Platform medic, coordinates the fire team members on lifting the stretcher and places it into the "frog", to lift the practice casualty from the lower levels of the platform, up to the installation sickbay. 

Blog, fireteam, emergency response, frog personnel transfer, north sea, photo by Lee Ramsden

Fire team leader, in communications with the crane operator. They safely lift the practice casualty to the platform sickbay. 

Highest point in the north sea.

blog, Flare view, heighest point, in the, north sea, 162m, BP Miller, oil, gas, rig, platform, Aberdeen, BP,Petrofac, Saipem, Lee Ramsden industrial photographer

The BP Miller, has the tallest flare stack in the North Sea, at 162m high, 

(4m taller than Blackpool tower)

blog, Flare view, rope access, IRATA, industiral, technicians, top of BP Miller, danny king, Petrofac, BP, Saipem, ACN, Steve thorogood, Lee Ramsden, photographer, photography.

Caught our breath back, after a lung busted 15 ladder climb. 

blog, Flare view, pointing, rope access, IRATA, industiral, top of BP Miller, danny king Petrofac, BP, Saipem, ACN, working at height.
blog, Marathon oil, brae Alpha platform, Lee Ramsden, occupational, photography, photographer, industrial, oil and gas, industry

Image of the Brae Bravo platform, from the top of BP Miller flare. 

Rig removal. North sea.

blog, Rig burning, welding, oxygen, acetylene, cutting, BP Miller, Decommissioning, industrial, removal, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, Lee Ramsden, hotwork 01
Blog, welding on the ropes, rope access, IRATA, abseiling, industrial, lee ramsden, BP Miller, oil and gas rig, north sea, offshore, employment, redundancies, oil and gas industry, BP, Petrofac
blog, Rig burning, welding, oxygen, acetylene, cutting, BP Miller, Decommissioning, industrial, removal, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, Lee Ramsden, hotwork 02
blog, Rig burning, welding, oxygen, acetylene, cutting, BP Miller, Decommissioning, industrial, removal, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, Lee Ramsden, hotwork 03
BP Miller, decommissioning, Petrofac, Saipem, BP, buring, oxygen, acetylene, rig removal, industrial, north sea, photo taken by Lee Ramsden
BP Miller, decommissioning, Petrofac, Saipem, BP, buring, oxygen, acetylene, rig removal, cutting, burning,  industrial, north sea, photo taken by Lee Ramsden
BP Miller, decommissioning, Petrofac, Saipem, barries, chain, lifting, crane, steel beam, BP, buring, oxygen, acetylene, rig removal, industrial, north sea, photo taken by Lee Ramsden

Talisman 40 year old north sea oil rig - Auk

The Auk Oilfield is situated 249 kilometres (155 mi) east, southeast of Aberdeen, Scotland. It was operated by Shell UK in 50% partnership with ESSO until October 2006 when it was bought by Talisman Energy, and is now licensed by Talisman Energy. It was discovered in October 1970 in a water depth of 182 metres.

13 Talisman Auk north sea oil and gas platform plans drawing

Drawing courtesy of google images

Production started in December 1975 from the Auk 'A' platform. This platform is a steel, 8 legged jacket designed by Shell Oil and constructed at Methyl Fife Scotland. This jacket weighs 3,414 tonnes and support a topside weight of around 8,000 tonnes.

14 Aberdeen airport Bristow Departures

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/125 ISO200

Helicopter Departures.

15 Aberdeen offshore oil and gas Helicopter taxi for the industry

Fuji film X-T1  f5.6 1/125 ISO200

Our transport to the platform, ready for action. 

17 Hot Work Spark potential permit to work ISSOW Draggar gas monitor meter

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/125 ISO800

For me to be able to take picture offshore, it is well controlled. Permit to work, and gas tests are required. 

18 Talisman Auk platform flare on the pipe deck north sea oil price equal rotation down man redundancies

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/60 ISO800

Flaring off excess gas. 

19 offshore north sea oil and gas workers working hard at the computer in the office

Fuji film X-T1  f3.6 1/60 ISO800

Our office, where the magic happens. 

20 IRATA industrial rope access techniques being used to work at height safely

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/60 ISO800

Technician climbing to his work front. We use IRATA - industrial rope access techniques and procedures to work at height safely. 

21 SKN electrical abseiler working at height IRATA

Fuji film X-T1  f1.6 1/60 ISO800

SKN electrical technician.

22 Electrical worker repairing a light fitting on an oil rig offshore in the north sea

Fuji film X-T1  f1.6 1/80 ISO800

Electrical inspections being carried out. 

23 Oil and gas workforce on a tea break smoking drinking coffee

Fuji film X-T1  f4 1/60 ISO800

After all that climbing, a cup of tea is required. 

24 Auk Oil rig platform Talisman TV lounge workers watching tv

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/60 ISO800

Off shift movie time. 

25 Auk oil gas rig room and shower

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/60 ISO1250

40 year old ensuite rooms. 

26 Talisman Auk gas rig accommodation room bunk bed north sea oil rig price

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/60 ISO1250

Bunks fit for a king.

 

A fact which i found funny - The field is named after the Auk a family of sea birds. There is a legend that it was to be called A UK, as the first British oilfield, until somebody realised that the sixth field would be called F UK and Shell's policy was rapidly changed to name their fields after sea birds. Shells sixth UK oilfield is called Fulmar.

 

 

Please feel free to share this post on your social media, giving credit to the photographer Lee Ramsden www.leeramsden.com

 

Thanks

 

IRATA rope access training course.

IRATA rope access ropes climbing Blackpool Training TALLON TALON NDT Harness offshore oil and gas north sea 02

Big apologies for not having a post for some time now, 

with work, the new house and the baby, my hands are pretty busy, 

but i couldn't be happier. 

I am planning a trip to the Brecon Beacons in the near future, which i am super excited about,

Here are some images i snapped on a recent rope access course. I was refreshing my IRATA Level 3's ticket and so was in for a weeks beasting!!

IRATA industrial rope access ropes climbing Blackpool Training TALLON TALON NDT Harness offshore oil and gas north sea 01

I can highly recommended the training over at

C&J training in Blackpool. The training centre comes under the Talon umbrella and John is a great trainer there. 

IRATA, rope access, ropes, climbing, Blackpool, Training, TALLON, TALON, NDT, Lee Ramsden, Photography, Harness, offshore, oil and gas, north sea 05

It was an informative week. I understand a few of you are photographers. This post has no relevance to you? 

But ask your self - How many times are you at work, and at height? up step ladders? on roofs? hanging out of a window? I know even you wedding photographers are guilty of this. This course is not for you, but take some time and look at the working at height guidelines. Hurting yourself is just not worth it. no work - no cash right?

Say your assistant takes a tumble, your insurance will turn their back if nothing is in place. Say good bye to your business, once you pay out the court fee's and the settlement. 

Here is what the HSE say about it. Thanks for reading. 

IRATA, rope access, ropes, climbing, Blackpool, Training, TALLON, TALON, NDT, Lee Ramsden, Photography, Harness, offshore, oil and gas, north sea 03
IRATA, rope access, ropes, climbing, Blackpool, Training, TALLON, TALON, NDT, Lee Ramsden, Photography, Harness, offshore, oil and gas, north sea 04