Author(s)

E.E. Mitropoulos

Abstract

Safety offshore - the work of IMO* E.E. Mitropoulos Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, UK Introduction The first mobile drilling platform for the oil industry was launched in 1949 and thereafter the industry took many steps to improve the design, con- struction and equipment of drilling units to ensure they were stable, mobile and cost effective. Their research led to the evolution of truly mobile (self- propelled) floating drilling units and, through the 1960s, the drilling fleet expanded in size and type. Four generic forms of mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) evolved, i.e. submersibles and jack-ups, which are bottom supported and drill ships and semi-submersibles, which are free-floating. The submersible is designed as a bottom-supported drilling unit and its operation is limited to water depths of up to 52 metres. The 'self-elevating' or jack-up rig is one of the most widely used platforms in today's off

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