Complex work environments
Our
services
Working in offshore environments
On offshore platforms, offshore substations, and maritime installations, accessibility is limited, and work directly impacts planning, logistics, and operational continuity. Traditional access methods often involve additional transport, setup time, and operational burdens.
With rope access, work can be carried out in a targeted manner without extensive scaffolding or additional access systems. This keeps turnaround times, logistical burdens, and impact on the installation limited.
Our IRATA-certified specialists are familiar with operations under offshore conditions, including working at height, over water, and on complex steel structures and installations.
Maintenance, inspection, and technical execution offshore
SkyPeople supports diverse offshore operations on platforms, offshore substations, piping, steel structures, and other offshore assets.
Our specialists support, among others:
- preservation work;
- Inspection & NDT;
- welding operations;
- rigging and lifting;
- E&I activities;
- technical maintenance and project support.
By combining specialized access with technical execution, work can be carried out safely, in a controlled manner, and efficiently within offshore environments where continuity is key.
Preparation and controlled execution
Within offshore projects, preparation, safety, and coordination are essential. Therefore, accessibility, weather influences, operational conditions, and execution risks are carefully assessed in advance.
Based on this, working methods, planning, and safety documentation are adapted to the circumstances and execution of the offshore project.
Projects in
hard-to-reach places
What our
clients say
“We experience the collaboration with Sky People as a true partnership. They actively contribute ideas, are flexible, and focus with us on the safe and successful execution of the work. For example, we have collaborated on the bicycle bridge in Lelystad, where Zoet Services thoroughly cleaned the top side and the underside was executed in collaboration with Sky People. We definitely recommend Sky People due to their professional approach, commitment, and reliable effort.”
Mark Zoet
Sweet Services
“It was very pleasant to work with these gentlemen; they are professional and thoughtful. And not to forget, you can consult with them very well about the approach to the work. I am very satisfied with the result of the work. I greatly appreciate the effort and commitment of both, and I look forward to any future collaboration with confidence. Should an opportunity arise again to work together, I will certainly be positive about it.”
Fulco Hokke
Tasty dungeon
Frequently asked questions
Rope access is suitable for what offshore work activities?
Rope access is suitable for a wide range of work on offshore structures and installations where accessibility, safety, and continuity are important. This includes maintenance, inspection, preservation, NDT, welding, rigging & lifting, E&I work, and technical project support.
In offshore environments, rope access is often used on platforms, offshore substations, piping, steel structures, cranes, and other hard-to-reach components of offshore assets.
Why is rope access widely used in the offshore sector?
Within the offshore sector, locations are often difficult to access with traditional access methods such as scaffolding, aerial work platforms, or cranes. Rope access makes it possible to reach the work site in a targeted and controlled manner, without extensive temporary structures.
This allows work to be prepared and executed more quickly, with less logistical burden and less impact on installation or operational planning.
Can Rope Access be used for offshore preservation and coating work?
Yes, rope access is widely used for offshore preservation work, such as surface preparation, coating repair, and protecting steel structures against corrosion. This is particularly relevant for structures that are difficult to reach from decks, platforms, or fixed access points.
Through rope access, technicians can work on specific zones, for example on steel structures, piping, cranes, or other parts exposed to harsh offshore conditions.
Is rope access suitable for offshore inspection and NDT?
Yes, rope access is suitable for visual inspections and NDT work on hard-to-reach offshore installations. Technicians can position themselves in places where inspection from fixed walkways, scaffolding, or aerial work platforms is difficult or impossible.
This makes rope access suitable for inspections of steel structures, piping, connections, welds, cranes, offshore substations, and other critical components of offshore assets.
Can Rope Access help to limit offshore downtime?
In many situations, rope access can help limit downtime or operational disruptions. Because it often requires less setup time, equipment, and logistics than scaffolding, teams can access the work site more quickly.
This makes rope access interesting for maintenance campaigns, scheduled shutdowns, ad-hoc repairs, and work where the impact on operations needs to be minimized.
Do rope access specialists also work on offshore cranes and steel structures?
Yes, rope access can be used for work on offshore cranes, steel structures, platforms, piping, and other hard-to-reach parts of offshore installations. This includes inspection, maintenance, preservation, assembly, disassembly, and repair work.
The method is particularly suitable when parts are located at height, above water, under structures, or outside regular access routes.
Is offshore rope access safe?
Rope access offshore is carried out according to strict safety procedures and with certified technicians. For work at height, over water, or on complex installations, controlled access methods, redundant safety systems, and clear work procedures are used.
SkyPeople works with IRATA-certified specialists who are accustomed to complex work environments where safety, preparation, and supervision are essential.
Can SkyPeople help think about the right approach for offshore work?
Yes, SkyPeople considers the most suitable approach for offshore activities. This includes looking at the location, accessibility, risks, planning, required disciplines, and the impact on operations.
Based on this, it can be determined whether rope access is the right access method, which technical specialists are needed, and how the work can be prepared safely and efficiently.
What is Rope Access?
Rope access is a specialized method for safely performing work at heights, depths, and in difficult-to-reach locations. Using rope systems, positioning techniques, and certified safety equipment, technicians can work safely in locations where traditional access methods are limited.
The technique is applied worldwide in the offshore, industrial, petrochemical, civil, and utility construction sectors for, among other things, maintenance, inspection, and execution work on installations, structures, and buildings.
Rope access offers an efficient alternative to scaffolding, aerial work platforms, and other conventional access methods, especially in locations where accessibility, safety, or operational impact are important considerations.
Due to the limited setup time, rapid deployability, and minimal environmental impact, rope access is increasingly being used worldwide in complex operational work environments.
Want to know more about the technique, safety, and applications of rope access? Then check out our pages: About Us – What is Rope Access?, Is rope access safe?.
What does 'IRATA certified' working mean?
IRATA stands for Industrial Rope Access Trade Association en is the highest safety standard worldwide for rope access work. Within offshore, industry, petrochemical, and infrastructure sectors, this certification is used to ensure safe execution, fixed work methods, and high training standards.
To be allowed to work with rope access, technicians must successfully complete extensive training, practical exams, and rescue exercises. In addition, IRATA technicians always work according to international guidelines, fixed safety procedures, and controlled work methods.
Within IRATA, there are three certification levels:
- Level 1
A Level 1 technician performs rope access work under the supervision of an experienced Level 3 supervisor after obtaining their certification. This is the entry-level position within rope access. - Level 2 — minimum of 1,000 logged work hours
After a minimum of 1,000 hours of practical experience, a technician can become certified to Level 2. At this level, technicians perform more complex tasks and receive additional training in areas such as rescue procedures and work positioning. - Level 3 — minimum of 1,000 additional work hours as Level 2
A Level 3 supervisor is responsible for the safe execution of rope access work on site. After obtaining this certification, the supervisor is authorized to assess risks, control work methods, perform safety checks, and provide continuous supervision during project execution.
All IRATA technicians are re-examined and re-certified every three years. During this re-certification, practical skills, rescue procedures, safety knowledge, and work methods are reassessed according to international IRATA guidelines.
This makes IRATA one of the strictest and most controlled systems worldwide for working safely at height and in hard-to-reach locations.
