A simulation model to evaluate an emergency response system for offshore helicopter ditches

A simulation model that supports the planning of an offshore emergency response system is presented. This model is based on official guidelines for offshore preparedness and can be used to evaluate different designs of an emergency system in respect to quantity, performance and location of Search-and-Rescue helicopters by modeling the coverage of the area under consideration. The model is trace-driven by means of environmental data. It includes a number of stochastic parameters which show a complex system of location dependence and interdependency. As a result a heat-map to visualize the response capacity and its service level is generated. The petroleum industry in Norway is expected to move into new areas. One particular area of interest is the Barents Sea, which is characterized by long distances and challenging environmental conditions. A case study which shows possible designs of an emergency response system in this area using the simulation model is presented.