DNV – Lifting Appliances Used in Subsea Operations
The DNV guidance on Lifting Appliances Used in Subsea Operations defines safety and technical requirements for lifting equipment used below the waterline. Subsea lifting operations introduce additional hazards compared to surface lifting, including dynamic loads, hydrodynamic forces, limited visibility and restricted access for inspection and intervention.
Cranes for You includes this guidance in the Knowledge Centre because subsea lifting demands a higher level of engineering control, verification and competence. The DNV guideline provides a recognised international benchmark for safe, reliable and compliant subsea lifting operations.
Summary of the Guidance
The DNV guidance establishes requirements for the design, certification and operation of lifting appliances used in subsea environments. Key elements include:
- Scope of application: Applies to lifting appliances and lifting arrangements used for subsea installation, recovery and handling of structures, equipment and components.
- Design and strength requirements: Lifting appliances must be designed for subsea loads, accounting for hydrostatic pressure, corrosion, fatigue and dynamic effects.
- Dynamic and hydrodynamic loads: The influence of wave action, currents, vessel motion and dynamic amplification factors must be included in lift calculations.
- Redundancy and fail-safe design: Where failure could have severe consequences, redundancy in lifting systems and control functions is required.
- Inspection and certification: Lifting appliances must be inspected, tested and certified in accordance with DNV requirements, with special attention to subsea-exposed components.
- Operational limitations: Environmental limits, operational envelopes and contingency measures must be defined and respected.
- Documentation and traceability: Design documentation, load calculations, inspection records and certification must be available and retained.
Practical Relevance in Subsea Lifting
Applying this DNV guidance in practice ensures that:
- Subsea lifting appliances are engineered and verified for their specific operational environment
- Dynamic loads and hydrodynamic effects are properly accounted for in lift design
- Failure risks are reduced through redundancy and conservative design principles
- Inspection and certification regimes are adapted to the challenges of subsea exposure
- Offshore operators, contractors and insurers share a common safety benchmark
- Lifting operations align with international offshore and marine-assurance standards
This guidance is particularly relevant for offshore oil & gas, offshore wind, subsea construction, subsea maintenance and decommissioning projects.
Official Source
This guidance is issued by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) under the title Lifting Appliances Used in Subsea Operations.
DNV is a globally recognised classification society and technical authority for offshore and marine operations.
Related Knowledge Articles
- Noble Denton – Lifting Operations by Floating Cranes
- Noble Denton – Guidelines for Load-Outs
- IOGP – Lifting & Hoisting Safety Recommended Practice
- CAPP – Safe Lifting Practices Offshore
Ready to Improve Safety and Efficiency?
Subsea lifting operations leave little margin for error.
Download the DNV guidance from this page and integrate its principles into your subsea lifting procedures, engineering reviews and assurance processes to ensure safe and controlled operations.
