C. 31. Offshore Installations

Question 0

What is the definition of “Certifying Authority”?

Answer 0

ii. “Certifying Authority” means any person, committee, society or other body of persons approved in accordance with regulation 31.3.1;

Question 1

What is the definition of “accommodation”?

Answer 1

i. “accommodation” means any dining-room, sleeping quarters, kitchen, recreation room, sick-bay, laundry, linen-room and any store-room or office integral with and used in connection with such accommodation and including any corridor giving access to any of these rooms;

Question 2

What is the definition of “Certificate of Fitness”?

Answer 2

iii. “Certificate of Fitness” means a certificate issued under regulation 31.3.2;

Question 3

What is the definition of “fixed installation”?

Answer 3

iv. “fixed installation” means an offshore installation which is not a mobile installation;

Question 4

What is the definition of “life-saving appliance”?

Answer 4

v. “life-saving appliance” means any life-buoy, life-jacket, survival craft, life-raft or other equipment to be provided under this chapter;

Question 5

What is the definition of “mobile installation”?

Answer 5

vi. “mobile installation” means an offshore installation which can be moved from place to place without dismantling or modification to its primary structure, whether or not it has its own motive power;

Question 6

What is the definition of “natural oil”?

Answer 6

vii. “natural oil” means any combustible gas or liquid or solid hydrocarbon compound existing in a natural condition in the earth’s crust, but does not include coal;

Question 7

What is the definition of “normally enclosed motor-propelled survival craft”?

Answer 7

viii. “normally enclosed motor-propelled survival craft” means a self-propelled survival craft of rigid construction specially designed and constructed for carrying persons safely through fire on water;

Question 8

What is the definition of “offshore installation”?

Answer 8

ix. “offshore installation” means an offshore structure supported on the seabed or a vessel used at sea in connection with the prospecting for or the mining of natural oil and on which persons are normally present;

Question 9

What is the definition of “owner”?

Answer 9

x. “owner” means the owner of an offshore installation and includes any lessee or contractor thereof;

Question 10

What is the definition of “pipeline”?

Answer 10

xi. “pipeline” means any pipeline between a fixed point ashore and an offshore installation, and a pipeline between an offshore installation and another offshore installation which is intended to be used to convey natural oil and which forms an integral part of the offshore installation;

Question 11

What is the definition of “primary structure”?

Answer 11

xii. “primary structure” means all structural components of an offshore installation, the failure of which could seriously endanger the safety of the installation;

Question 12

When may the Chief Inspector grant an Offshore Installation Permit to use an offshore installation?

Answer 12

31. 2.1 The Chief Inspector may grant an Offshore Installation Permit to use an offshore installation in the sea as defined in section 1 of the Seashore Act, 1935 (Act No.21 of 1935), and on the continental shelf referred to in section 7 of the Territorial Waters Act, 1963 (Act No. 87 of 1963), subject to conditions as he may specify.
32. 2.21 Every application for the use of an offshore installation shall be made by the owner to the Principal Inspector of Mines and shall, where possible, be accompanied by a Certificate of Fitness granted by a Certifying Authority.

Question 13

Who may approve any Certifying Authority to conduct or to cause to be conducted surveys and assessments under these regulations and to certify offshore installations as fit for any of the purposes referred to in these regulations?

Answer 13

31.3.1 The Chief Inspector may approve any Certifying Authority to conduct or to cause to be conducted surveys and assessments under these regulations and to certify offshore installations as fit for any of the purposes referred to in these regulations.

Question 14

What does it mean when the Certifying Authority, if it is satisfied that it is proper to do so, issue a Certificate of Fitness?

Answer 14

31.3.2 A Certifying Authority may, if it is satisfied that it is proper to do so, issue a Certificate of Fitness, certifying that the offshore installation concerned is fit to be established or stationed in the said waters.

Question 15

What shall the Certificate of Fitness contain?

Answer 15

31. 3.3 A Certificate of Fitness shall contain the following information-
    a) The name of the Certifying Authority.
    b) The Certificate of Fitness identification number.
    c) The name or emblem of the offshore installation.
    d) A description of the offshore installation.
    e) The name of the owner.
    f) A declaration that the offshore installation is fit to be established or stationed and maintained in the said waters.
    g) The period for which the Certificate of Fitness is valid.
    h) Special conditions of validity.
    i) The date of issue.
    j) The name and signature of person designated to sign on behalf of the Certifying Authority.

Question 16

What may not be done without a certificate of fitness after the date of coming into operation?

Answer 16

31. 4 After the date of coming into operation of these regulations no-
    a) fixed installation shall be established;
    b) mobile installation shall be brought into or stationed; or
    c) fixed or mobile installation shall be maintained,

in the sea or on the continental shelf without a Certificate of Fitness.

Question 17

What shall be done prior to the moving of an installation?

Answer 17

31.5 On or after the date of coming into operation of these regulations no mobile installation shall be moved unless, prior to moving, the owner has obtained from a competent person a report on the environmental factors at the new station and the owner has reasonable grounds for believing that the offshore installation is capable of withstanding the factors referred to in regulation 31.12.

Question 18

Where shall one copy of the Offshore Installation Permit be kept posted?

Answer 18

31.6 One copy of the Offshore Installation Permit shall be kept posted on board the offshore installation in such a position that it can be conveniently read.

Question 19

What happens when the Certifying Authority is not satisfied that a Certificate of Fitness can be issued?

Answer 19

31.7 If the Certifying Authority is not satisfied that a Certificate of Fitness can be issued, the Certifying Authority shall notify the owner in writing and supply him with the reasons for the conclusion and shall at the same time send a copy of the said notification to the Principal Inspector of Mines.

Question 20

What happens when the Certifying Authority is of the opinion that the offshore installation has become unsafe?

Answer 20

31.8 If the Certifying Authority is of the opinion that the offshore installation has become unsafe, it shall revoke the Certificate of Fitness issued in respect thereof and notify the Principal Inspector of Mines by the quickest means available and supply him with the reason for forming that opinion and shall at the same time send a copy of that notification to the owner.

Question 21

When may the Chief Inspector revoke a Certificate of Fitness?

Answer 21

31. 9 The Chief Inspector may revoke a Certificate of Fitness if-
    a) he is satisfied that, in the interest of safety and health, that the offshore installation is no longer fit to be maintained; or
    b) there has been a failure to comply with the requirements of any regulation which may be applicable.

Question 22

For how long shall a Certificate of Fitness be valid?

Answer 22

31.10 A Certificate of Fitness shall be valid for such period as the Certifying Authority may determine.