Case: Personnel Positioning and Safety System for Marine Drilling Operations

Request for presentation

Safety at the Edge of the Arctic

Offshore drilling platforms operate in the world’s most demanding environments — high winds, freezing temperatures, and the constant risk of overboard incidents.
At the self-elevating drilling rig, operated by the Company, ensuring personnel safety and rapid emergency response became a top priority.
The client — one of the world’s top 10 oil and gas corporations — required a solution that could provide continuous real-time tracking of personnel and instant incident response, even under Arctic conditions.

Extreme Conditions, Zero Margin for Error

The system needed to operate reliably in a harsh maritime environment, facing:

• Temperatures from −30°C to +45°C;
• Strong winds, humidity, and seawater exposure;
• Potential radio interference from onboard transceivers (1.6–27.5 MHz);
• Full compliance with offshore communication standards;
• Integration with existing communication and emergency systems on the rig.
• At the same time, the system had to detect personnel falls or zone violations instantly, alert the crew, and coordinate rescue operations in real time.

RealTrac deployed a Personnel Safety and Positioning System (PSPS) integrating UWB and LoRa communication technologies for high-precision tracking and long-range alert transmission.

System Architecture:

• UWB anchors PROD POINT 516 provide sub-meter accuracy on deck;
• LoRa Edge Beta 2 base stations with 22 dBi antennas extend coverage up to 3 km to reach rescue vessels;
• Wi-Fi Access Points ensure redundant connectivity up to 1 km;
• A central server and operator workstation visualize all personnel in real time;
• Each crew member carries a PROD.TAG 720 / VTAG 720 device with built-in sensors for movement, impact, and zone crossing detection.
• All hardware is marine-grade (IP68+), resistant to vibration, seawater, and salt corrosion.

Smart, Multi-Layered Safety Logic

• Real-Time Personnel Tracking — full visualization of every worker on the operator’s console.
• Configurable Safety Zones — “Caution,” “Warning,” and “Danger” zones with both visual and audio signaling.
• Instant “Man Overboard” Detection — immediate alerts to the control room and rescue vessel, showing the person’s exact coordinates.
• Multi-Channel Alerting — sound, vibration, and visual signals for personnel, dispatcher alerts, and beacon sirens.
• Rescue Coordination — continuous LoRa tracking at long range; automatic switch to UWB mode (100–200 m) near the rescue vessel for high precision.
• Maintenance Mode — temporary adjustment of sensitivity for tasks beyond the deck perimeter (flare stack or hull maintenance).

How the System Works in Practice

• Preventive Alert — “AlertZone”
  When a worker approaches within 1–3 m of the platform edge, the tag emits a short vibration and sound signal, and the dispatcher console highlights the worker’s position.

• Emergency Alert — “Danger Zone”
  Crossing within 1 m of the platform edge triggers triple vibration, loud audio, and flashing lights at the respective deck sector.

• Man Overboard Detection
  If a fall is detected, the system instantly transmits a distress alert via LoRa to both the control center and rescue vessel, showing the person’s live GPS position.
  As the vessel nears, positioning automatically switches from LoRa to UWB mode for precise tracking and rescue confirmation.

A New Standard for Offshore Safety

• Full real-time visibility of all personnel on the platform;
• Immediate detection and alerting in hazardous situations;
• Dramatically reduced response time for man-overboard incidents;
• Verified operational reliability in Arctic maritime conditions;
• Seamless integration with the Company´s communication and emergency systems;
• Scalable architecture ready for expansion to additional rigs and support vessels.

Technical Overview

Parameter	Specification
Indoor accuracy (UWB)	0.5–1 m
LoRa range	Up to 3 km
Wi-Fi redundancy	Up to 1 km
Hardware protection	IP68+, anti-corrosion, vibration resistant
Operating temperature	−30°C to +45°C
Alert response time	<1 second
Power source	Rechargeable, automatic SmartWall docking
Compliance	Russian industrial and maritime standards

Safety Proven at Sea

The RealTrac Personnel Safety and Positioning System has set a new benchmark for offshore industrial safety.
By providing real-time awareness, immediate alerting, and reliable rescue coordination, the solution delivers what truly matters in Arctic operations — saving lives when every second counts.

Request for presentation