Allspeeds Ltd design and manufacture the Webtool range of cutting and gripping tools. In addition to the standard range, Allspeeds have manufactured a bespoke emergency cutting tool.

The tool was supplied to an organisation operating a number of floating production storage and offloading systems and will be used in the work of the Marine Well Containment Company (MWCC), an independent company that provides well-containment equipment and technology in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

The GOM is subject to tropical storms and hurricanes, an emergency cutting tool was required should response efforts ever need to be put on hold for an approaching storm.

For the tool to be used in American waters, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) had to approve the function and cutting procedure, and see a live function and factory acceptance test. In August 2012, ABS visited Allspeeds to witness the tool cut through 128mm dyneema rope.

The Webtool cutter was dispatched September 2012 and will be placed on a ship in the GOM, ready for use in an emergency situation. The tool is a bespoke softline cutter with the following features:

• full stainless steel construction

• jaw opening of 400 x 250mm

• designed to cut in 2 seconds (maximum)

• hydraulically powered

Allspeeds appreciated the opportunity to create the bespoke emergency cutting tool and is proud that the tool will be used during emergency response situations. The company looks forward to similar projects in the future.

Press Release, July 22, 2013