Friday 15 January 2016

The Underwater Centre, Fort William, has added the FMC Schilling TITAN 4 syllabus to its current ROV training suite. The course familiarises candidates with all major components of the TITAN 4 manipulator; and provides system operation and routine maintenance procedures. The Underwater Centre has adapted the course to offer extensive operational practice through specific activities designed to give candidates familiarity with the manipulator in use.

There will be multiple deliveries of the course throughout the year and is included in the Centre’s seven-week Premium ROV Course. The two day course will be integrated into the ROV Tooling module and offered as a stand-alone option as well.

Support from FMC Schilling Robotics and Fugro

The FMC Schilling Manipulator was donated to the Centre by Fugro and upgraded by FMC Schilling Robotics from a TITAN 3 to a TITAN 4. The TITAN 4 represents the industry standard for position controlled manipulator operations used in work class ROV applications. The development of this manipulator has featured extensively in the advancement in remote technology applications, in the harshest of marine environments, and deserves its reputation as the proven system of choice for all major ROV operators and their clients alike. This training therefore provides a vital addition to the skill-set of any ROV pilot technician.

Steven Cullen, The Underwater Centre’s ROV Operations Manager, said: ‘I believe this is a fantastic opportunity for The Underwater Centre150722 T4 Manipulator Training 2b lores with logo to extend our training provision to include state-of-the-art manipulator training, sanctioned and approved by the industry’s leading manufacturer, FMC Schilling Robotics.

‘What it means for industry is that there is now a second option for ROV personnel to train on the T4, in accordance with the official syllabus from FMC Schilling Robotics. The Underwater Centre is ideally placed to extend the workshop training to encompass real-world operational experience.

‘For work class operations, the effective use of the T4 is as vital as piloting skills and traditionally has been over-looked as a requisite competency for effective operations. The Underwater Centre offers both a technical/engineering element to this type of training and an opportunity for personnel to develop those vital operational skills needed.’

Mike Thomson, Regional Manager, Europe & West Africa, at FMC Schilling Robotics, added ‘We understand the vital role that effective training plays in our industry. Not only can effective training increase operator safety, it can contribute to increased productivity, as well as reduced equipment maintenance and repair costs.

‘We are delighted to be collaborating with The Underwater Centre, supporting their delivery of highly relevant TITAN 4 Manipulator product familiarisation to their candidates.’

Source: The Underwater Centre