Pull-In Winches

BONUS or PENALTY? ALL OCEANS, have been designing and manufacturing underwater winches since 1991, delivered two more custom designed units to a local customer in June 2002 The requirement was one of those "time is of the essence" orders. Even so, ALL OCEANS accepted and delivered on time. Both systems were assembled, commissioned, tested and delivered inside 6 weeks, and yes, the paint was dry. The programme was roughly 2 weeks design, 2 weeks manufacture, 2 weeks assemble, paint and test. Considering that no part of the winch design pre-existed, meant that there was no margin for error. In this respect, ALL OCEANS acknowledge the support of their many suppliers and workshop resources in helping to get this job out on time. Although the "time is of the essence" term were accepted, the customer's proposed late delivery penalty was not. At the risk of being controversial, ALL OCEANS add any penalty risk 100% to the bottom line price. Unless supply is totally controllable, such as a supply from stock, then penalties are very difficult to pass down a supply chain. So Customers, what about a Bonus option as opposed to a Penalty option? •Is there a difference between a % BONUS rather than on a % PENALTY contract? •Does one option have a different effect on attitudes and the progress of the work? •How far can a Bonus option be passed down a supply chain compared with a Penalty? •Would we feel different about a "Bonus" project even if the end price were the same as for a "Penalty" project? For information, the two winches were rated to pull 8,000kg bottom wrap and handle up to 300m of 16mm steel wire rope. Level wind combined grooved drums and powered spooling. Performance was maximised for the specified ROV hot-stab hydraulic supply and flow. Operating depth is in excess 3000msw.

For more information on Pull-In Winches talk to All Oceans Engineering Ltd