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www.sea-technology.com February 2016 / st 35 A s the demand for AHC technology has increased for research-related operations that require precise con- trol of the load, the control system specialist Scantrol has made their AHC control system available for a wide range of standard winches and cranes. The technology was origi- nally developed as a control system for high-end winches and cranes in the offshore sector in or- der to flter away vessel motions during subsea installations. As more ship owners are looking at the op- portunity to upgrade their existing deck equip- ment with AHC instead of buying new equip- ment, Scantrol has taken on the challenge to make the technology available for a wider range of existing winches and cranes. "Retroftting of existing equipment to AHC is often a very cost-effective way to increase operational time," explained Scantrol Managing Director Helge Hammersland. "Often, an acceptable heave compensa- tion capacity can be achieved by just re- placing their control system with an AHC control system." AHC Increases Operational Time Active heave compensation is a tech- nology used when lifting equipment during subsea operations in order to fl- ter away the heave motion of the vessel. The system compensates for the movements caused by the waves with the aim to keep the load motionless with regard to the seabed, a subsea in- stallation or another vessel. The application of AHC makes it possible to use lifting equipment even when weather conditions are not ideal, and this signifcantly increases opera- tional time for vessels operating with AHC. Operating from its headquarters in Bergen, Norway, Scantrol has de- livered class-leading control systems since 1988. The AHC technology was originally developed for high-end winches and cranes, but the technology has gradually become an industry standard for deck equipment, not only the main crane. Active Heave Compensation For Winches, Cranes AHC Retroftting Increases Vessel Operational Time By Dr. Darren Hammersland-White • Rolf Krogh Hjelmeland (Top) This screenshot from the Scantrol AHC software shows how it gives the operator continuous overview of both the vessel motion and the percentage of the compensa- tion of the load. The control system signifcantly increases operational time for vessels operating with AHC. (Bottom) Scantrol's rapid delivery of an AHC system was essen- tial for Bibby HydroMap to fulfll a contract.