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The voluntary Gulf of Mexico (GOM) communications protocol is an agreed communications format that identifies methods of notification, recommended frequencies and generally accepted two-way marine VHF radio protocols. It is for use in GOM Outer Continental Shelf areas and State Territorial Waters adjacent to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
The objective is to provide a common voluntary marine communications protocol for GOM resource users to use in alerting parties that will be interacting in the same general area. This protocol will provide a common communication format for notification and feedback between offshore platform and rig operators and others in responding to the safety needs of all GOM resources users.
Any vessel operator (commercial, for hire (charter/headboat), recreational fishermen, sport divers and oil and gas contractors and operators) proposing to approach either fixed or floating drilling, production and support facilities or oil and gas transportation infrastructure should utilize the GOM communications protocol.
PROTOCOL
Any vessel approaching either a fixed or floating offshore facility with the intent of tying to or remaining around (within 1,500 feet of) that facility for any purpose, should contact as far in advance as practical that specific facility using a marine VHF radio on Channel No. 16. All offshore facilities are identified by signage that identifies the Area, Block, Platform and Operator.
This protocol helps GOM offshore facility operators identify vessels approaching or mooring and gives shared resource users a common communication tool. If vessels fail to establish communications, a facility operator is faced with the task of evaluating the vessel's intent. Communications will help operators make a judgment on the activity and help access if the vessel poises a threat to the people or facility.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO FISHERMEN WHEN FISHING AROUND OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION PLATFORMS
Most offshore fishermen target oil and gas production platforms as their fishing location of choice. Petroleum platforms, commonly referred to as “rigs,” provide recreation for fishermen and scuba divers because they act as artificial reefs, attracting and establishing aquatic communities, including highly sought food and sport fishes. Also, offshore facilities serve as navigation points for small marine craft. Manned facilities can also provide a haven for small craft operators forced to abandon their vessels during storms or following accidents.
Generally this interaction between fishermen and offshore platform personnel takes place without incident. However, periodically, a fisherman or scuba diver may be asked by platform personnel to move to another location. This request is generally made when certain potentially dangerous activities are taking place onboard the platform and is made for the safety of both platform personnel and the fisherman.
Some of these potential hazards to fishermen occur when construction or maintenance activities are underway. These activities frequently require use of marine support vessels that limit access to the facility and require frequent movement and the possibility for entanglement in anchor lines or mooring hardware exists. Platform cranes making lifts can expose vessels and personnel to dropped objects, and overhead work, such as blasting, welding and burning or painting, can also potentially expose people and equipment to falling debris and equipment. These activity types are easy to see and the request to move is easily understood.
Some activities taking place on offshore platforms that may also be dangerous are not as easily seen, and therefore, a request to move may be misunderstood. Activities such as well perforating, poisonous gas releases (red flashing light) or emergency shut downs that may require significant venting or flaring may not be visible from the sea surface. Perforating activities require elimination of radio transmissions to help prevent an inadvertent triggering of the explosive charges. Gas releases, some of which may be poisonous (red flashing light), have the potential to drift to the water surface and envelop a vessel, where an open flame or spark could set off the gas.
Therefore, if asked by platform personnel to move to another structure, please understand the request is made for your safety, the safety of the personnel on board the platform and the safety of the facilities. Please observe common courtesy and move to another location.
EXAMPLE
Contact Request: “Eugene Island 313 “A” Platform, this is M/V Duck, M/V Duck, on Channel 16”
Response: “Eugene Island 313 “A” back to M/V Duck. Switch to Channel No. ______.”
Follow Up on New Channel: “M/V Duck back; we are 5 miles out and in route to your location for ______ (offloading, fishing, diving, bird watching, etc) and request assistance in determining your current facility status.”
Recognition: “Eugene Island 313 “A” back; we have no current marine traffic or hazardous operations but expect a supply boat later today.” If the facility was planning operations that might preclude safe positioning of marine craft or if potentially hazardous lifting or well work is scheduled, the operator would so inform the vessel.
Notification: “M/V Duck back; we are a 25 foot sport fisherman out of Cocodrie with a total of five people on board and will approach your location at 0900 hours and estimate our stay at three hours.”
The approaching vessel has established contact, identified its intent to approach or moor, its purpose, and estimated its time of arrival and time at location. The operator is now alerted to the fact that the vessel is approaching with the intent of being in the area and can validate actual activities by visually observing the vessel and its crew.
