DNV-Certified Pneumatic Winch for Diving Bell Counterweight – Offshore Argentina

For a Norwegian diving and ROV company operating in the harsh waters of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), ILC engineered and supplied a new pneumatic hoisting winch to replace a 25-year-old system used to lift the counterweight of a diving bell. This operation required an on-site engineering assessment aboard the Skandi Patagonia to validate dimensional constraints, duty cycles, load cases and operational safety requirements.

Key technical challenges

• Certification to DNV Standard for Offshore and Platform Lifting Appliances
• Operation in cold, corrosive offshore environments with high humidity and saline exposure
• Precise and reliable lifting of a critical safety component (diving bell counterweight)
• Replacement of an ageing winch with limited space and strict integration constraints

ILC’s solution

The new system delivered by ILC includes:

• A custom pneumatic winch, 6.8-ton capacity, 10 m/min speed, 400 m of Ø24 mm cable
• DNV certification for offshore lifting appliances
• Automatic spooling device (level wind) for clean winding over 400 m
• Dual braking system (drum brake + motor brake) for maximum operational safety
• A robust pneumatic control cabinet, designed for offshore use
• A fully compact structure engineered for seamless integration onboard

A tailor-made offshore solution designed for reliability, safety and long-term performance.