Abstract
Offshore Personnel Transfer Systems (OPTS) facilitate safe and efficient personnel transfer between offshore installations and marine vessels. These systems integrate state-of-the-art engineering principles and advanced materials to ensure reliability and optimal performance in formidable conditions. Through intricate movements and precise positioning, OPTS enable optimal access during personnel transfer operations and prove indispensable in navigating unpredictable weather conditions. While material considerations play a role in their design, this paper focuses on the dynamic design strategies employed in the construction of OPTS. Within this study, the Moving Frame Method (MFM) emerges as an optimal framework for analysis. Rooted in the foundational principles of Lie Group Theory and Cartan’s notion of moving reference frames, the MFM provides an efficient means of analyzing single and multi-body dynamics. By harnessing the capabilities of the Special Euclidean Group for analysis and simulation, this paper illustrates how the MFM serves as a catalyst for advanced research. Furthermore, recent extensions, notably the development of a kinematic transfer variable, improve the algorithm for the MFM. Complementing this analytical approach, the integration of WebGL for 3D simulations offers a visually immersive experience, fostering a comprehensive understanding of system behavior and performance dynamics. This project (revisiting legacy software with modern mathematics) serves as a pivotal step towards the seamless integration of smart technologies within OPTS. Through the incorporation of real-time monitoring, sensor feedback, automated control systems, and a real-time physics model, the next phase of OPTS promises unparalleled levels of operational efficiency and safety by the creation of a digital twin.
