(WO) — Salunda has expanded its footprint in the Americas deepwater sector by installing its Latch Hawk monitoring system on a semisubmersible rig, the company confirmed.
Image courtesy of Salunda
The deployment, completed earlier this year, integrates the second-generation sensors directly into the rig’s drilling control network, giving crews instant feedback on the status of fingerboard latches inside the derrick and reducing the risk of dropped-objects (DROPS) incidents.
“Our intensive work in the Americas deepwater region reflects the growing global recognition of Latch Hawk as a trusted solution for preventing DROPS incidents during operations,” said Alan Finlay, Salunda’s chief executive. “As operators strive for safer and more efficient performance, technologies like Latch Hawk play a critical role in reducing risk and helping prevent accidents before they occur.”
The updated Latch Hawk unit features new sensor technology, tougher shock and vibration protection, a reinforced housing, cloud-based condition monitoring and a battery life exceeding seven years. By confirming each latch’s position and flagging any that are stuck or out of tolerance, the system removes the need for manual spotters or camera surveillance.
According to Salunda, operators have reported fewer fingerboard-related incidents since adopting the technology. “This latest deployment is part of a broader rollout across the region, which highlights the positive reception our technology continues to receive,” Finlay said. “This is a clear demonstration of how Latch Hawk is enabling crews to work more confidently, safely and with greater situational awareness. Consequently, operators in the region have observed a decrease in incidents involving fingerboards.”
Latch Hawk joins Salunda’s Crew Hawk Red Zone personnel-tracking system, which was installed earlier this year on four drilling platforms in Guyana. Together, the products form part of the company’s wider push to digitize safety-critical operations across offshore rigs.
