Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Fpso-Raroa

On August 9, 2021, a medical emergency aboard the FSP 'Raroa' prompted a swift helicopter rescue operation off the coast of South Taranaki. A contractor in his 40s, who was working on the oil and gas processing vessel in the Maari oilfield, required urgent medical attention due to a non-work-related health issue. Around 11:30 a.m., the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter arrived at the scene to facilitate the evacuation of the seriously ill worker. The challenging wintry weather conditions added complexity to the situation, with strong headwinds and a pitching vessel in the rough seas complicating the rescue efforts. Fortunately, the prompt response ensured the individual received necessary care.

On February 20, 2015, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) began monitoring a small oil spill incident involving the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel 'Raroa', located approximately 70 kilometers off the Taranaki coastline. The incident occurred when around 250 liters of oil leaked due to a ruptured pipe during a standard transfer operation. The leak transpired while oil was being transferred to the tanker 'Nectar', where the transfer hose developed a fault near the connection point, resulting in oil spilling onto the deck of the tanker. The following morning, a reconnaissance flight with MNZ observers reported no visible signs of an oil sheen in the vicinity of the spill. In response to the incident, OMV, the operator of the New Zealand branch of the international oil company, has been monitoring the oil slick, which was detected about 10 kilometers from the platform. To mitigate the potential impacts, a support vessel equipped with a skimmer has been deployed for oil collection. Authorities anticipate that the oil will significantly break apart; however, should it reach the coastline, it is expected to arrive in the form of small tar balls, lessening the potential environmental impact.

The Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel Raroa successfully departed from Port Nelson yesterday, assisted by two powerful deepwater tugs positioned at each end. One of the tugs was engaged to pull the ship towards the shore, ensuring that the Raroa, which lacks its own engine power, maintained a straight trajectory and provided additional braking capability. Captain Duncan emphasized the careful planning that preceded the operation, which included sophisticated computer simulations, stating that everything proceeded smoothly. As the longest vessel to ever visit Port Nelson, measuring an impressive 250 meters, the Raroa's exit was meticulously orchestrated with the support of the port's tugs, W H Parr and Huria Matenga. Importantly, the departure remained low-key, with teams involved deliberately keeping details vague to avoid potential disruptions from anti-oil drilling activists. According to Port Nelson Ltd’s shipping schedule, the Raroa was initially set to depart on Monday, November 25. However, Captain Duncan underscored the necessity of maintaining confidentiality regarding the departure, remarking that it successfully thwarted any attempts to cause disturbance. The FPSO Raroa arrived at Port Nelson on October 28, having traveled from the Maari oilfield off the coast of Taranaki, where it is permanently anchored. During its stay, the vessel received a new 45-tonne swivel fitted—a critical component that enables it to rotate around its mooring—alongside additional refurbishment work. Further details and images can be found at http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/9416406/Giant-tanker-makes-big-exit.