Mediterranean Clients

Testimonials

Below is a selection of company and personnel testimonials. Full references (>100) can be provided upon request, so please contact us.

Company has found OSC’s deliveries of service and equipment of high standard. OSC was well prepared with the right equipment onboard to adhere to UK requirements, which we have limited experience with.

Both [Marine Mammal Observers and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operators]  are candidates with a solid educational background and have proven that they both meet the highest professional standard

  • They have adapted to our operations in a pro-active and flexible manner so that operations has been undisturbed. This is foremost achieved by them using the acoustic listening device and recording continuously throughout the piling activity. This means that when we had a short stop in piling we avoided downtime due to additional mammal observing period before resuming piling operations
  • MMOs and PAMs have been impressively motivated, given that no mammals have been observed throughout the operations. They have been conscientiously watching at all hours of the day.
  • Both candidates have been willing to share their knowledge and thoroughly explain the background of specifics around their profession and purpose for their assignment
  • We also experienced service beyond what could have been expected i.e. making contact on our behalf to DECC for getting more background on their decisions
  • Additionally, it has been a pleasure to have both observers onboard the vessel, as they are positive and pleasant to be around, and have contributed to a good working environment onboard.

– Statoil, pile driving

Just a quick note to thank you and your staff for your rapid mobilisation for the recent piling works on Oleg Strashnov.

– Scottish Power Renewables, pile driving

I’m very happy to help, you and your team did a great job for us last year when lots of things weren’t so good elsewhere.

– Vattenfall, pile driving

I have had the pleasure to work with [OSC Marine Mammal Observers and Passive Acoustic Monitoring operators] during the piling phase of the … wind farm project. As the Vattenfall representative we had excellent communication and working relationship. They both showed a good understanding of the guidelines recommended by the JNCC for piling, helping ensure that the project ran smoothly and without problems. They were able to work well with the rest of the crew, which is truly appreciated when working offshore.

I can state with confidence that they are responsible and very motivated persons with a passion for their jobs. I therefore highly recommend them for future work without reservation.

– Vattenfall, pile driving

OSC has done similar work [decommissioning] … in German waters, and are therefore familiar with the German regulations and expectations. Their scientific approach to the job makes sure you’ll get all the answers you wish and more!

Because of their experience in German waters and the harsh environment they have made their POD system fool proof. This guarantees they do record data and are able to process it. Also as MMO’s they will do everything in their power and beyond to secure you’ll get the best data. Once the data is gathered they are able to explain the behaviour of the recorded animals.

But what stands out with [OSC] is their enthusiasm for the job, their systems and the mammals. It’s infectious! I really enjoyed working with them.

– Oranje-Nassau Energie, decommissioning

Please find my appraisal for [OSC MMOs] for their work on [seismic vessel].

They have carried out the following duties successfully and diligently throughout their rotation.

  • MMO watches (including pre-watches and soft starts);
  • Advice on guidelines including best practice;
  • Liaising with instrument room with regards to the start of soft starts ensuring no marine mammals were present within the exclusion zone;
  • Daily reporting to myself and the Party Chief; and
  • Attending all morning and safety meetings and pro-actively participating in the vessel safety observation system (SOPs).

– Shell, seismic survey

I have only known [OSC MMO] for the short time she was part of my crew onboard the Geo Pacific. We were conducting a 2-D seismic survey.

During her time onboard [this individual] has fitted in really well with the rest of the crew, has carried out her duties diligently and acted professionally throughout. [This individual] demonstrated her sound knowledge of the JNCC regulations at our toolbox meetings and left clear instructions with the seismic crew as to her requirements.

In summary, I would welcome [this individual] back onboard my vessel at any time in the future and similarly not hesitate to recommend her to others.

– Fugro, seismic survey

It was good to have you and your team on board. I appreciated your professional approach, and thought you all fitted in well with the wider trials team and ship’s staff. I’d be happy to engage your services for future trials.

– International Military Cooperation, SONAR trials

I was very pleased that I called you for this assignment. You have done more than I hoped for and I understand that your business is going well.

– Scandinavian military fixed PAM trials

Ocean Science Consulting have provided marine mammal observation services acting in the role of subcontractor … for a number [7] of years. I have always found their staff to be suitably qualified, in possession of the correct certificates, well informed, capable of managing and carrying out the tasks allocated, and able to collate and summarise appropriately the information they collect. They have been willing to spend time to explain their work to all interested parties. On several occasions they have been proactive in foreseeing potential issues as the project’s eyes and ears, and have flagged these up … as early as possible.

 Shellgas pipeline project

Since 2004, I have worked with Ocean Science Consulting (OSC) in the capacity of Head Drilling Engineer and look forward to working with them again on a project currently scheduled end of this year.

To date, OSC has undertaken seven contracts with Wintershall, and is currently preparing equipment, personnel and logistics for an eighth. Their work has included: 1) provision of Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs), Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators/Technicians and PAM equipment during seismic exploration, rig moves, and drilling campaigns; 2) acoustic and oceanographic measurements around drilling rigs, including measurement and propagation of both drilling noise and turbidity of drill-cutting plumes; 3) long-term scientific studies of harbour porpoise (and other cetacean) acoustic activities around production platforms and drilling rigs; 4) dedicated line-transect surveys to statistically estimate populations of marine mammals and sea birds following seismic surveys; 5) advice documents on marine mammal mitigation techniques; and, 6) attended noise validation monitoring to ensure that received sound levels do not exceed regulatory thresholds at specified distances.

When it comes to marine mammals and mitigation, they have extensive experience and knowledge and are experts on animals in the North Sea (and in our case, they have worked in the German, Dutch and Danish sectors).

OSC has always provided a quality and quantity of service that exceeds all expectations, as oppose to merely complying with basic contractual requirements. They are extremely diligent and passionate about their work, and in many cases, have contributed their own funding to various projects in order to strengthen results to peer-review standard.

Wintershall has been extremely satisfied with the standard of service that OSC has provided, and I hope to be working with OSC in the long-term. I also wouldn’t hesitate to recommend OSC for any work within the aforementioned remits, although as professional scientists, they seem capable of accomplishing almost anything in the marine environment.

– Wintershall, drilling

It is with great enthusiasm I have drawn up and signed this recommendation letter in support of Ocean Science Consulting (OSC).

I have worked with OSC on board the drilling unit … when we drilled the … well. During this project, as per EIA recommendations, two MMOs conducted visual observations for marine mammals pre and during the rig tow until pre-loading, and throughout a VSP survey. Outside the critical periods specified in the EIA recommendations, the MMOs continued to conduct watches at every opportunity. A partial aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that, because of the potential rig-as-reef effect, the acoustic activity of porpoises would be higher at the rig compared with the open sea. Harbour porpoise acoustic activity was thus monitored with T- and C-PODs (autonomous, static, echolocation-click detectors) deployed at three locations. T/C-PODs were also deployed for > 1.5 days at [an additional site], but this was mainly for calibration purposes.

In my capacity as Offshore Installation Manager … I have been in contact with the OSC onboard supervisors on a daily basis concerning the planning, set-up and operation of the required equipment for the aforementioned project. During these meetings and agreements I found the OSC representatives to be honest, creative and imaginative in their way to address the challenges encountered. The presence of OSC onboard the rig and the work they conducted was at no moment hindering or effecting the planned operational duties of the rig crews.

Due to the unfamiliarity of the drill crews I have requested the OSC supervisors to briefly explain the project during our weekly safety meeting. They energetic and passionately presented demonstration awakened the crew’s knowledge and interest in marine mammals and the marine environment in general to such an extent that I still get crewmembers to report mammal observations to me up to present date.

I would like to strongly recommend OSC onboard offshore installations at any time marine environment operations are to be conducted, when extensive experience and 100% professional service is required on your planned projects.

– Noble, drilling, VSP & static acoustic monitoring

I have been the onsite Project Survey Representative … for a development … for the past four years. This work involved significant amounts of pipe laying, rockdumping, geotechnical, engineering and associated survey vessel activities. … Due to the sensitivities of the project close inshore (an SAC) and the large amount of acoustic ‘noise’ generating equipment in use it was important for a cetacean monitoring and reporting process to be in place. The process was designed and implemented by OSC Ltd who also provided offshore representation on a full-time basis covering up to 15 vessels in-field. Up to eight personnel covering the complex array of vessels and activities for the work period were provided for up to 5 months.

The personnel provided by OSC Ltd were found to be very experienced, practical and extremely knowledgeable in their field and, very importantly, were a pleasure to work with. It is often a difficult environment for MMOs to work in due to the occasional personal barriers related to certain offshore operations. It is therefore important for the MMO to be able to communicate effectively and work well with the vessel Marine crew or onboard project personnel. OSC personnel were able to do this with ease. The systems used were well developed and the reporting process seamless.

I would highly recommend OSC Ltd for any MMO monitoring and reporting work, both inshore and offshore.

– ShellInshore pipe-laying operations

I would like herewith to thank you for providing us with such an experienced MMO. [The individual] was doing great on the barge and always on the lookout for any marine mammals and answered all our questions and everything went smoothly.

If we will have an requirement again for an MMO, will let you know and hopefully [the individual] can join us again.

– Maritech, cable-laying

Please pass on my thanks to [the MMO] for a job well done and for  keeping the regulators informed of progress.

– Shell, Inshore site survey (multibeam)

[OSC’s MMO] is one of the most experienced MMO’s I have worked with from OSC. I have worked with [this individual] on a variety of project vessels both inshore … and offshore…. [This individual] is extremely professional, very knowledgeable regarding the guidelines and, very importantly, a pleasure to work with. It is important for the MMO to be able to communicate effectively and work well with the vessel Marine crew or onboard project personnel. [This individual] is able to do this with ease and gets along with people very well.

I would highly recommend [this individual] for any MMO monitoring and reporting work, both inshore and offshore.

– ShellInshore site survey (multibeam)

Recently the New Zealand government reviewed guidance for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals from seismic survey operations, and on the 1st August the new Code of Conduct was launched by the Minister of Conservation and the Minister of Energy. The review process relied heavily on expert stakeholders to develop the most robust yet practical regime possible based on international best practices. Ocean Science Consulting provided invaluable advice, particularly in establishing specifications and standards for PAM equipment and operations that were simply not available in other such guidance or regulations internationally. In addition, their team provided a great deal of useful feedback on general marine mammal observation issues.

OSC’s expertise, experience and passionate commitment to improving PAM & MMO standards was clearly evident, and overall, OSC made a significant contributions to the review.

I have no reservations endorsing OSC, and would welcome the opportunity to work with them again.

– New Zealand Government, Advice on MMO & PAM guidelines

Thank you very much for your insight … and for sharing your experience.

– German Federal Environment Agency (UBA)

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