The system is comprised of two cranes which run fore and aft on guides along the cargo rails at the sides of the vessel. These enable the crane booms to reach any position on deck. The operation is controlled remotely by a crew member standing at a safe vantage point using a neck-slung radio control joystick unit.

The SDO works in conjunction with the other Rolls-Royce deck systems, including main and auxiliary winches, centring quadrants, towing pins and shark jaws that hold chains and connectors in place while the crane performs shackling operations.

One valuable adjunct to the system itself is an on board simulator comprising a computer, large TV screen, and joystick control unit. A simulation displayed on screen shows the SDO unit moves in synchronisation with the movement of the control levers.

Using the simulator, crew can develop their skills in crane manipulation and operation in a safe environment before carrying out work on deck with the SDO system and wires under actual load. The first vessel to include the Rolls-Royce simulator was Olympic Octopus back in November 2006. By the end of last year, the simulator was on board at least twenty more vessels, including the Havila Mars, delivered to Havila Shipping in June.

Rolls-Royce are currently drawing up specifications for larger cranes and SDO systems are also being designed for trawlers and for platform supply vessels, which will complement the load securing system already in service.