Offshore Lifting Operations & Equipment

Manufacturers
of
Nautilus Hooks
“A New and Safer
Type of Lifting hook”
Presentation by
Capt. Bill Toon
Managing Director
Nautilus Rigging i LLP
Offshore Lifting Operations & Equipment
The dynamic offshore lifting environment, where fixed or relatively
stable offshore installations ti interact t with constantly tl moving supply or
support vessels, is a significant factor which contributes to a higher
recorded level of lifting incidents and personal injury claims when
compared with static onshore lifting operations.
The current practice is to use traditional “Latch Lock” hooks for most
offshore lifting operations. These Latch lock style hooks were
introduced in the mid 1970’s and were an improvement over the open
or spring latch hooks which they replaced, however these hooks still
have the inherent design flaw that requires the operator to place their
hand and fingers within the hook and sling interface area in order to
operate the hook.
This inherent hazard of all traditional hooks is the root cause of many,
potentially serious and costly, hand and finger injuries which are
commonly associated with the use of traditional “latch lock” lifting
hooks.

Common Injuries and Potential Costs
Most users of traditional latch lock hooks have experienced this inherent
hazard first hand with minor pinch and trap injuries i or “Shackle Bites” to
their fingers when operating or using these hooks.
In practice these incidents are so common they are generally unreported
and are accepted as “operator error”, These minor injuries amount to
bruised fingers with little or no downtime nor any bottom-line costs.
Conversely a portion of these pinch and trap injuries are very serious, and
in some recorded cases have unfortunately left employees with permanent
disabilities including loss of fingers and use of hands.
The majority of ensuing compensation claims are understandably settled
out of court, however there are many recorded cases where serious hand
injuries sustained while using traditional latch lock hooks have been
awarded compensation from several thousand to several million dollars.
Objectives
Having experienced this safety hazard first hand during offshore cargo
operations Captain Toon incorporated Nautilus Rigging Ltd with the
specific aim of developing his safety concepts to produce a new and
technically advanced d design of self locking safety hooks that t would
eliminate the inherent design flaws and risks associated with the use of
traditional hooks.
Nautilus Rigging invested over 3 years in research and development to
refine their safety concepts and design criteria. Their program included
extensive modelling and bench testing phases which culminated in the
Nautilus Hooks design for which h a small batch working prototype t hooks
were commissioned in 2009 for an Industry sponsored field trial in the
demanding Offshore North Sea environment.

Trial Data & Participants Comments
► The unique safety features and operational benefits of Nautilus Hooks
achieved an exceptional 89% approval rating from the offshore trial
participants after more than 3,125 man-hours of use.
► 89% found the side mounted sliding lock much easier to operate than a
traditional latch lock.
► 84% agreed that Nautilus Hooks improved the level of personal safety
during offshore crane operations.
► “The handle gives absolute protection to my hand, I now have complete
control of the hook at all times during use”
► “Nautilus Hooks feel very light and are easy to use, I don’t get sore
wrists like I used to with the old hooks ”
► “Nautilus Hooks are much easier and quicker to load and unload
compared to latch lock hooks”
► “Nautilus Hooks are absolutely the safest hooks I have ever used”
Nautilus Hooks - Unique Safety Features
Offset pivot pin for
default self locking
Product Markings
Include:
Hook Model code
CE marking
Clearly marked WLL
Manufacturers code
Measuring nibs for
easy onsite
specification checks
Unique internal
profile for quick and
easy load and discharge
Smooth external profile
with NO latch protrusions
Patented, fully enclosed
locking slide for easy lock
operation
Marine Grade 316
Stainless steel spring
Patented unique
safety handle and
finger grip
Unobstructed
t handle space
No moving parts
CE certification and
manufacturing standard

Quality Assurance
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Nautilus Hooks are manufactured to EU standard BS/EN1677-1-2000+A1:2008
Nautilus Hooks are DNV type approved. (DNV Certificate S-6103)
Nautilus Hooks are CE certified and manufacturers test certificate supplied with all
hooks.
Nautilus Hooks have a Minimum Breaking Load of 4 x WLL (No deformation)
Nautilus Hooks are 100% individually proof tested to 2.5 x WLL prior to packaging.
Nautilus Hooks are marked with a coded Year/Week of manufacture for simple
product traceability.
Corrosion resistant Marine Grade 316 Stainless Steel lock spring.
Dacromet® coated forged locking slide for added strength and corrosion resistance.
► Nautilus Hooks incorporate measuring nibs for simple, easy onsite specification
checks.
HSE - PUWER 98 (UK) Regulations state:
An employer providing lifting equipment for use in the workplace MUST
ensure that the risks created by the use of the equipment are eliminated,
or controlled where possible, by providing the appropriate hardware
We make the Hook
You make the choice