OSPREY Tanker Berthing System

With the ongoing development of reliable Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), satellite GPS technology is now an essential tool in almost all forms of modern position referencing and tracking systems.  Eaton's Ocean Technical Systems has adapted this technology to produce a flexible, highly accurate, yet cost-efficient portable TANKER BERTHING SYSTEM.  This system is suitable for use with any size vessel, for either tandem or side by side berthing at FPSO, FSO, or other offshore terminals including Buoys (SPM/CBM/CALM) and fixed berths (jetty/sea island).

Eaton's OSPREY system combines a state-of-the-art ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) with an accurate speed of approach system, providing the mooring master with precise real-time information on the vessel’s position, heading, and speed during the navigation, approach, and final berthing.  All packaged in a lightweight portable unit small enough to be hand carried onboard the approaching vessel by the pilot.

The OSPREY system implements a self contained real time kinematic (RTK) differential global positioning (DGPS) system consisting of a base station permanently installed on the terminal, and a lightweight portable unit hand carried onto the approaching tanker.  The units communicate via integral radio telemetry transceivers operating on a single radio frequency (UHF or VHF) providing a bi-directional link between each location.

The OSPREY system provides the mooring master with a “birds eye” view of both the vessel and berth superimposed over an electronic navigation chart (ENC).  The system also provides precise information on the tanker’s approach distance, position, and speed, including visual and audible alarms on speed, collision, and difference in heading.

The portable unit may also be used to display real time signals from the terminal, such as AIS data, Met Ocean data, Mooring line tension, Process data (flow, pressure, valve position etc).  As the telemetry link is bi-directional the tanker operators may also use the portable display for loading pump control, and if required, Emergency Shutdown (ESD).  

Finally, the OSPREY system also features comprehensive logging and reporting functionality, where a graphical log of the berthing, offloading, and departure is created for each operation.  This log file may be “played” back in real time with fast forward/backwards.