X-904 refurbishment

Just a note to our end users

We are pleased that you chose the X-904 for your operations and we want you to have the best and safest possible program for the offshore transfer of your most important asset, your people. Due to this, we recommend replacement of the device after three refurbishments.

Daily Checklist

Make sure you are doing your daily checklist to manage the daily demands of your X-904. Forms are available for download here.

6 Month Inspections

This is a thorough inspection. Make sure you are prepared. Forms are available for download here.

Why do we refurbish X-904’s and not personnel baskets?

The X-904 is manufactured with a variety of components such as wire rope, synthetic rope, floatation, cover materials etc. All of these components are affected by the harsh offshore environment they operate in. This wear would include general wear and tear, UV degradation as well as the salt water conditions offshore. These affected parts are all critical in the performance and operation of the X-904. The X-904 is a device that carries the most important “cargo” in the offshore community…people. The X-904 is designed to be inspected before each use then have a more thorough inspection every 6 months and be refurbished every two years (with the understanding that it had passed the daily and 6 month inspections). The two year refurbishment helps to ensure these devices are more than ready to do the job they were designed for…Why two years? Because we have found that on average (based on over 60 years of manufacturing safety equipment for offshore use) two years in the field is the maximum time that we can recommend these kind of lifting devices operate without critical parts being replaced.

What if we don’t use our X-904 regularly- can we alter the refurbishment/replacement Recommendation?

Our policies were written for the X-904 based on “normal” usage. From time to time we have come upon these circumstances where the customer does not regularly use their X-904 in their day to day operations.

We don’t change or alter our policies/recommendations because to do so would add subjectivity to the refurbishment and maintenance equation of the product. Adding this variable, we would then be in the position to have to look at every X-904 and subjectively say whether it is time or not to refurb or be replaced. To do this (in our opinion) would create a safety concern about the integrity of this most important product. If one mistake is made, there is a good chance that injuries or even lives would be affected. Being consistent on our part is critical.

It is also important to note that we are not an enforcement agency, we only “recommend” how our product is used and maintained. If the customer chooses not to follow these Recommendations, it is up to them. An analogy would be when buying a car the manufacturer has recommendations for changing the oil, tire rotation etc. It is up to the buyer to determine if they follow them, even if the car stays in the garage.

Just one more thing worth noting, all of our X-904’s have life left in them when they come in for refurbishment. The last personnel lift these devices make should not be the last one that they are “capable” of making.

How to get the In Service Date?

In the event the In-Service Date was not noted when unwrapped, you can use the following dates for your records.

• In-Service Date – The date the device was unwrapped, if not, the following date applies.
• Good Receiving Date (GRN Date) – The date the customer received the goods from their forwarding agent, if not, the following date applies.
• Invoice Date (From Distributor to Customer) or Delivery Order Date (From Distributor to Customer) from a DO or Invoice, if not, the following date applies.
• Purchase Order Date (Customer PO to Distributor), if not, the following date applies.
• Distributor Receiving Date from Billy Pugh, if not, the following date applies.
• Manufacturing Date

Do you have a sample JSA for personnel transfer?

Yes. You can download it here.

What is the life span or maximum number of refurbishments of the X-904?

The center section of the X-904 is made from aluminum. This is so that the X-904 will be as light as possible. This light weight feature is important so that in the event that someone is struck on deck with the transfer basket that they will be much less likely to be injured or knocked over. Aluminum is great for this reason but it does “cycle” over time and lose some strength. After 8 years in the field (new – plus 3 refurbs) we recommend that they be replaced. It’s important to realize that these devices will still have “life” left in them in the vast majority of cases when they are taken out of service. This is good as the last lift they make should not be the last lift that they are “capable” of making. We always have to err on the conservative side due to the “cargo” that our products carry. We cannot accept anything less than full confidence: a single failure would have catastrophic consequences. Diamond Offshore helped us design the X-904 and the last testing that was done before we went into production was on the Ocean Confidence.

Refurbishment policy

We recommend refurbishment every two years from the In-Service Date, and replacement after the third refurbishment (eight years in service).

When it is time to refurbish your X-904, please use only a Billy Pugh authorized refurbishment center. Our authorized centers are located around the world and are trained to perform this critical service. Contact us with the serial number and location of your unit and we will put you in touch with the nearest one, or e-mail bpc@billypugh.com with any questions.

Can we refurbish our own X-904?

No. Refurbishment must be done by a Billy Pugh authorized refurbishment center, which replaces worn or damaged parts and returns the unit to service.

How much will refurbishment cost?

Pricing depends on the condition of the unit. Contact us with the serial number for a quote.

What is the working load limit on the X-904?

See the X-904 product page. The ratings there are taken from the ABS certificate.