Personnel Basket: What is it and how does it work?

You may have seen a basket of workers being lifted and moved by a crane at sea. But what exactly is this seemingly simple piece of equipment? It’s a vital tool for offshore personnel transfer.

In the challenging world of offshore operations, where traditional access methods such as helicopters are usually not the most convenient option, efficient and safe personnel transfer is essential. That’s where the offshore personnel basket – also known as the “man basket” – comes in, providing a reliable solution.

In this guide, we’ll look at what these baskets are, why they’re essential to offshore operations, and explore their safety features, applications and numerous safety tips.

What is a Personnel Basket?

A personnel basket is a specially designed device used to safely transport workers between vessels, oil rigs, and offshore platforms via crane.

These baskets are built to withstand the harsh conditions of the marine environment. Common materials used in their construction include duplex stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and composite materials like Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), all of which offer excellent corrosion resistance and structural integrity.

With their ability to endure tough marine conditions, personnel baskets ensure safe and stable transfers, even in rough seas. Depending on the design, they can typically accommodate 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 people, and are built to meet OSHA standards for man baskets.

Common uses in the Maritime Industry

• Personnel Transfer:

This is undoubtedly the most common use. Personnel baskets are mainly used to transfer people between vessels, rigs, offshore wind farms, or other platforms. They make sure everyone stays safe during the transfer, whether it’s from a ship to a platform or vice versa.

• Emergency Evacuation:

In emergencies, like a fire or gas leak on a platform, baskets provide a quick way to evacuate people to a safe area or shore. It’s often faster than other evacuation methods, which is crucial when time is of the essence.

• First Aid:

If there’s an injury or accident, personnel baskets can be used to quickly transfer the injured crew members. Specialized stretcher baskets make medical evacuations easier, allowing workers to be moved from the work site to a rescue boat for treatment.

• Maintenance and Repair:

For offshore platform maintenance, baskets offer a safer way to carry out work at height. Whether it’s painting the hull of a vessel, cleaning, or checking wind turbines, baskets reduce the risk and provide easy access to different parts of the facility.

• Cargo Transportation:

While personnel transfer is the main job, baskets can also be used for transporting small cargo, safety equipment, tools, and supplies. Of course, there’s not much space for personal belongings—just the essentials.

Types of Personnel Basket

Collapsible Basket

This is the most traditional and standard type. It has a simple structure and can be folded for easy storage.

During transfers, riders stand outside the rope netting, facing it, with their arms crossed through the ropes.

This basket offers the least protection for personnel, which is why most fall accidents happen when using this type.

Rigid Basket

This one has a sturdy, non-collapsible design. It has a rigid center pole, steel frame, buffer mechanism, double safety belt anchor points, a non-slip bottom plate, and buoyancy cylinders.

With riders facing inward, it allows for smoother landings during transfers. The rigid basket offers better stability and lateral protection.

Fully Enclosed Baskets

These look like capsules—sealed, watertight compartments with suspended seats, reinforced doors, and integrated buoyancy systems.

Riders are safer and more comfortable inside, and there’s room for a stretcher if needed.

A Passive Heave Compensator is often included in the center column, making this basket the preferred choice for high-risk environments like harsh weather or deep-water operations.

Personnel Basket Transfer Procedure

You might be wondering, “Is it legal to use baskets to transfer personnel at sea?” The short answer is yes, it’s completely legal. But regular land crane baskets won’t do—the ones used offshore are specially designed and must be certified by a third party (such as EN 14502-1/CE/ABS/OSAH) or meet equivalent standards.

They also need to be lifted by a special man-riding crane. Plus, there are some important steps to follow to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely:

1. Preparation: Always operate in safe weather conditions. Avoid bad sea states and strong winds. The personnel basket should be securely attached to the crane hook or winch line using the right lifting slings. Double-check all slings, hooks, attachment points, and safety devices to make sure everything’s in top shape.

2. Getting In: Make sure all personnel enter the basket at the same time. This prevents overcrowding and keeps the basket stable before lifting. Everyone should be fastened with safety belts, which should be securely attached to the safety rope in the basket.

3. Lifting: Once everyone’s in, the crane operator begins the lift. The crane or winch will raise the basket vertically, making sure to do it slowly and smoothly. The key here is to avoid any swinging or tilting.

4. Keeping It Level: During the lift, the crane operator needs to keep the basket level. Any imbalance could be dangerous and increase the risk to personnel.

5. Communication: The crane operator and the people in the basket should communicate constantly. This helps ensure a quick response in an emergency and that no obstacles are in the way.

6. Reaching the Destination: Once the basket reaches the platform, the personnel inside should wait for it to be gently lowered to the designated unloading area. As with the lifting process, the crane operator should keep the basket steady to avoid shaking. Once everyone exits, the empty basket can be returned to its place. That’s the complete transfer process.

Structure Introduction

The offshore personal basket is designed with several key structural components to ensure the safety and comfort of personnel:

Load Test

The personal basket must be tested with a 1.5 times load greater than the maximum rated working load, and the load is typically applied for a minimum of 5 minutes to verify its strength and durability.

Visual Inspection Check if there is any obvious deformation and bending of the frame. Only after the test is successfully completed, the compliance certificate will be issued to prove that it meets the requirements of offshore personal baskets.

Safety Precautions and Best Practices

It’s important to inspect the basket, crane and rigging equipment before starting work. Check for rust and ensure that safety locks are working properly.

Crane operators must be properly trained and certified, and the crane should meet man-riding standards.

Regular training of the team in the safe entry, exit and use of the personnel basket is a must.

For added safety, when inside the basket, personnel should grasp the ropes that make up the harness and cross their arms through them.

To keep everyone in the right place, it’s a good idea to mark standing points on the deck so that workers know exactly where to stand.

Always wear helmets and life jackets. If you’re carrying items, place them in the centre of the basket to keep the weight balanced.

Before entering the basket, ensure that workers are wearing a full body harness and fall arrest harness that is securely attached to the boom or basket, with all straps properly tightened and closed. Avoid tripping and entanglement when “dismounting”.

What can we learn from this experience?

A tragic incident in 2022 at the Putian Offshore Wind Farm in China highlights the critical importance of safety protocols. A worker was not properly secured—only a safety rope was used, and the lock was incorrectly connected to the hand winch and sea anchor wind rope.

When the lock failed, the personnel basket lost control and collided with the platform’s steel column, resulting in a fatality. The cause was a lapse in safety practices: the worker had a history of neglecting to use auxiliary slings during maintenance work on the fan.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the necessity of proper harnessing, thorough safety checks, and strict adherence to standard operating procedures.

Having on-site personnel to assist with inspections and supervision during the personnel transfer process adds an essential layer of protection.

Watch this video to understand the devastating consequences of neglecting these safety measures!

Conclusion

In the maritime industry, personnel transfer options are growing. While ladders, helicopters, and ships are common, personnel baskets are often the most cost-effective choice. But cost savings should never come at the expense of safety. Prioritizing safety with certified equipment, thorough inspections, and strict adherence to protocols is crucial to minimizing risks during operations.

Innovations like OUCO’s offshore cranes, Heave Compensated Winches, and man-riding systems take safety and efficiency to the next level. These technologies offer advanced stabilization and smart load monitoring, making transfers smoother and safer.

Looking for a reliable personnel basket lifting solution? Check out OUCO’s certified offshore lifting equipment, built for durability and safety. Reach out today for tailored recommendations.

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