Step Change in Safety – Marine Transfer of Personnel Guideline

The Marine Transfer of Personnel Guideline published by Step Change in Safety provides structured, industry-recognised guidance for the safe transfer of personnel between vessels, offshore installations and marine structures. Personnel transfer is one of the highest-risk routine activities in offshore operations, and this guideline sets out clear controls to reduce the risk of serious injury or fatal incidents.

Cranes for You includes this Step Change in Safety guideline in the Knowledge Centre because it represents widely accepted offshore best practice and supports consistent, auditable decision-making for personnel transfer operations.

Summary of the Guideline

The Step Change in Safety guideline defines the minimum safety expectations for marine personnel transfer, including:

• Transfer method selection: Personnel transfer must only be carried out using approved methods (e.g. crane-based transfer, gangway systems or dedicated transfer devices) selected through formal risk assessment.
• Competence and authorisation: All personnel involved — including crane operators, deck crew and transferees — must be trained, competent and authorised for the task.
• Approved transfer equipment: Personnel transfer devices (baskets, cages, gangways) must be purpose-designed, certified, clearly marked and regularly inspected.
• Environmental operating limits: Defined limits for wind speed, wave height, vessel motion and visibility must be established and strictly observed.
• Pre-transfer checks: Mandatory checks include equipment condition, communication systems, PPE, rescue readiness and confirmation of exclusion zones.
• Clear control and communication: One designated person must control the transfer, using agreed signals and radio communication.
• Execution of transfer: Transfers must be conducted smoothly, without sudden movements, with continuous monitoring of crane, vessel and environmental conditions.
• Emergency preparedness: Rescue arrangements, standby equipment and emergency response procedures must be in place before starting any transfer.
• Reporting and learning: Deviations, near misses or unsafe conditions must be reported and reviewed to improve future operations.

Practical Relevance in Offshore Operations

Applying this Step Change in Safety guideline ensures that:

• Personnel transfers are treated as high-risk operations, not routine tasks
• Go / no-go decisions are based on defined criteria rather than operational pressure
• Responsibilities between crane crew, vessel crew and offshore installation are clearly defined
• Rescue and emergency response capability is verified before each transfer
• Offshore safety management systems are strengthened and demonstrable
• Compliance with recognised offshore best practice is clearly documented

This guidance is especially relevant for offshore wind farms, oil & gas installations, marine construction projects and any operation where personnel must be transferred over water.

Official Source

This guidance is published by Step Change in Safety under the title Marine Transfer of Personnel Guideline.
Step Change in Safety is a leading UK offshore safety organisation representing operators, contractors and workforce stakeholders.

Related Knowledge Articles

• Noble Denton – Lifting Operations by Floating Cranes
• Oil & Gas UK – Safe Cargo Handling
• CAPP – Safe Lifting Practices Offshore
• IOGP – Lifting & Hoisting Safety Recommended Practice

Ready to Improve Safety and Efficiency?

Personnel transfer should never rely on experience alone.
Download the Step Change in Safety guideline from this page and integrate its requirements into your offshore lifting and marine-operations procedures to ensure every transfer is planned, controlled and executed safely.