Digital Video Roles and Responsibilities Page

 
Subsea 7 have invested in a number of Digital Video Recording systems to gradually replace the use of VCR and
DVD recorders on our the Company’s ROVSV and construction support vessels. The system that has been
selected is the VisualWorks system developed and produced by Aberdeen company VisualSoft. As well as
recording digital video, the system integrates our offline data processing requirements and synchronises survey
and inspection data and events with the video.

The nature of the system necessarily requires us to review the roles and responsibilities of the onboard teams to
ensure that the system operates successfully and that we acquire optimum quality video data and also manage
that data so that it is recorded and backed up securely. When we delete data from the system (which we will have
to regularly do) we must achieve this with robust systems and processes in place so we have 100% certainty that
we never lose any data without reliable back-up in place. Finally when we remove digital data from the vessel, we
must manage and document this, as we will retain responsibility for it until it is delivered and accepted by our
clients.

The following summary describes the roles and responsibilities of the various disciplines that will be key to the
successful operation and performance of the digital video system. This has been discussed by ROV and Survey
groups at the time of installation to the vessel and agreed between Phil Crighton (ROV and Tooling Operations
Manager) and Martin Day (Survey Manager). However, if changes require to be implemented through offshore
experience, then these will certainly be considered further.

The primary allocation of responsibilities between the ROV and Survey disciplines is that the ‘online’ acquisition
responsibility will be with the ROV team and that the ‘offline’ functions and data management of the system will be
with the Survey team. Both disciplines will require to work closely together to ensure that we operate and maintain
the best and most effective system possible.

All external support required for the VisualSoft system should be funnelled through the Survey Party Chief (or
senior survey personnel) or senior survey representative on the team. Support should be requested through the
Survey Helpdesk so that all issues are properly captured and co-ordinated. Contact details for support are given
here.

'Online' Roles and Responsibilities

ROV Observer

The ROV observer’s primary responsibility is to ensure that video data quality is optimised on the system
encoders and that all project-required data is recorded to the VisualSoft system during vehicle dives. The key
requirements are listed below.

Pre Dive Checks

 Refer to VisualSoft's guide "VisualWorks Administration and QC" section "VisualEncoder Checklist:
Before Survey" and complete and document all the checks listed.
 The VisualSoft Digital Video Overlay must be checked prior to recording. Refer to senior survey
representative for overlay layout and refer to VisualSoft’s "VisualOverlay Set-Up and Operation"
Manual for details on set-up and configuration. Note: For Subsea 7 construction and construction
support vessels the video overlay layout is a defined standard to be implemented by all vessels. Refer
to Subsea 7 document "VisualOverlay Configuration and SetUp for Subsea 7 Construction
vessels" document number AB-S-HT-02038.

Online Checks

 Ensure that VCR/DVD black box and/or other traditional back-up recording systems are simultaneously
recording video and, if applicable, audio data as required by standard and/or project-specific
procedures.
 Ensure that the VisualWorks DVR is in ‘BlackBox’ mode. See "DVR Recording Modes" below.
 Check that the correct cameras are selected for recording through the relevant matrix video switcher.
 Check that the correct ‘Task’ name is being displayed in the Overlay and report to survey online any
error.
 Refer to VisualSoft's guide "VisualWorks Administration and QC" section "VisualEncoder Checklist:
During Survey" and complete and document all the checks listed. Note this checklist should be
performed at each and every observer change out.
  Video headers are NOT required. See "Video Header" section.
 Start recording at the start of subsea project operations (not necessarily at start of dive/descent). See
the section on "Selective Recording".
 Provide dive commentary.
 Monitor VisualDVR system to ensure status remains operational and all required video data is recorded
to disk.
 Monitor VisualDVR encoder display (as opposed to composite monitors) to ensure quality of recorded
video data. Adjust system if necessary and consider lighting adjustments. See section on "Video
Quality".
 If any alarms are encountered within the VisualDVR system during a dive, record the event in the Dive
Log and ensure that the appropriate measures are taken and that the ROV Supervisor is notified. Refer
to the "Troubleshooting" section of VisualSoft’s VisualWorks Compiled Help File where there is a
description of alarm messages. This Help file is most easily accessible directly from the VisualDVR
software.
 Complete Dive Log during dive as per ROV procedure.
 Complete Video Log during dive as per ROV procedure.
 Stop recording at the completion of subsea project operations (not necessarily at start of ascent/end of
dive). See the section on "Selective Recording".

ROV Supervisor

The ROV supervisor is required to become familiar with the ‘online’ video acquisition components of the system
and be able to review recorded data to assist in assessing data quality and any steps required to optimise the
quality.

 Ensure that each shift for each working vehicle is adequately covered by ROV personnel with suitable
experience for operating the software / hardware.
 Ensure ROV personnel are familiar with what needs to be recorded as Client Deliverable and what
should be Black Box. See the section on "Selective Recording".
 Ensure that the ROV Observer has completed tasks successfully for each dive.
 Optimising the quality of recorded video data. See section on "Video Quality".
 To liaise regularly  with the Survey Party Chief regarding system status, quality  and performance.

'Offline' Roles and Responsibilities

Party Chief or Delegated Person

The senior survey representative(s) on the team will hold the primary responsibility for system performance and
data management. The Party Chief and Senior Surveyors will become familiar with the overall operation and be
able to review the system status to determine and confirm that data is being recorded correctly and backed up as
described in operational and project-specific procedures.

Project Initiation

 Ensure that each shift is adequately covered by Survey personnel with suitable experience for operating
the VisualWorks software / hardware.
 Create folder structure on the Archive PC as per structure detailed in Subsea 7 document
"VisualWorks Project Folder Setup for Subsea 7 Construction Vessels" for structure layout and
refer to "VisualWorks Administration and QC" section ‘Project Initiation’ for details on how to set-up
structure in VisualArchive.
 Format the QINSy navigation output string including historic header information refer to "Video
Header" and "DVR Survey QINSy Navigation data string" below.
 Ensure that the vessel has sufficient LTO4 tapes and client specific HDD(s) (where applicable) for
storing project digital video. See VisualSoft's "VisualDVR Storage Options" manual.
 Check Time Zone and Time Synchronisation see "Time Synchronisation" below.

Pre Dive Checks

 Check that VisualArchive is configured correctly. Refer to VisualSoft's "VisualWorks Administration

and QC" section "Offline - VisualArchive: QC Checklist".
 Ensure that there is always sufficient space on the NAS drive for data to be copied in real-time from
VisualDVR encoders, as controlled by VisualArchive system. Each camera records approximately
 1.8Gb/hr, therefore total amount of space required is expected dive duration in hours multiplied by
1.8Gb multiplied by number of cameras recorded ie 24hrs * 1.8Gb * 3 (cameras) = 129.6Gb. Regular
maintenance of the NAS must be performed to ensure there is always sufficient storage. See section on
"NAS Data Management".
 Check that there is always sufficient space on any client or office deliverable hard drive for data to be
copied from VisualDVR or from NAS drive. See section on "Client Data Management".
 Check that the Overlay is set to Subsea 7 standard layout. Refer to Subsea 7 document
"VisualOverlay Configuration and SetUp for Subsea 7 Construction vessels" document number
AB-S-HT-02038.

Online Checks

 Confirm that VisualArchive is transferring data to NAS drive, LTO4 drive and, where appropriate, client
or office deliverable hard drive, as controlled by VisualArchive system.
 Perform hourly checks of VisualArchive. Refer to "VisualWorks Project Folder Setup for Subsea 7
Construction Vessels" and "VisualWorks Administration and QC", section ‘Visual QC Checklist –
Regular Hourly Checks.’
 Liaise with ROV Supervisor to ensure ongoing acceptable performance of the system.

Data Management

 Maintain provided or developed processes to ensure that data is managed effectively in terms of
"VisualWorks Project Folder Setup for Subsea 7 Construction Vessels".
 Perform daily verification checks of opening video files on NAS and client HDD (if applicable) ensuring
that video playbacks. See section on "Verifying Video Data on NAS and Client HDD ".
 Verification of LTO4 tape. Note: The VisualArchive performs a verification of each file that is written, this
Verification is in addition to this automated verification process. See section on "Verifiying LTO4
Tape".
 Upon verification of LTO4 tape and client HDD, relevant data can be deleted from NAS if storage
capacity of NAS is such as to restrict ‘live’ recording. If storage capacity of NAS is not restricted then
data should remain on NAS until end of project transmittal has been confirmed by project. See next
bullet point below.
 Arrange for deliverable hard drive(s) and ‘copy’ LTO4 tape(s) to be shipped to the appropriate Subsea 7
or client office. Note original LTO4 tape(s) to be held on vessel until onshore receipt transmittal of client
HDD and ‘copy’ tape is confirmed.
 Ensure that sufficient LT04 tapes are maintained offshore for foreseeable ongoing operations. See
VisualSoft's "VisualDVR Storage Options" manual.
 Ensure that sufficient office deliverable hard drives are maintained offshore for foreseeable ongoing
operations. Liaison and support from assigned Project Surveyor will be required to address this issue.
See VisualSoft's "VisualDVR Storage Options" manual.

End of Project Checks

 Ensure that all LTO4 ‘original’ tapes have been verified and a ‘copy’ tape has been made for each and
every tape. See section on "Verifiying LTO4 Tape".
 Ensure that all client deliverable HDD(s) have been verified. See section on "Verifying Video Data on
NAS and Client HDD".
 Ensure that all ‘copy’ LTO4 tape(s) and client deliverable HDD have been organised for shipping to
office and transmittal has been logged.
 After onshore project confirm receipt of data, the corresponding data from the NAS drive should be
deleted and ‘copy’ LTO4 tape(s) to be sent to project using transmittal process.

Surveyors

The online surveyor’s primary role is one of quality control and assisting the ROV Observer as required to ensure
system operability and acquisition performance.

 Visual check on quality of video encoded; report anomalies to ROV Observer

 Ensure that QINSy nav data is being sent to VisualDVR. Note this doubles as the VisualOverlay string.
Please refer to VisualSoft’s "VisualWorks Administration and QC" sections ‘Set-Up Time
Configuration in Windows’ and ‘Set-Up Time and Configuration in VisualWorks’.
 Visual QC check on Video Overlay data displayed on VisualDVR prior and during recording. Refer to
Subsea 7 document "VisualOverlay Configuration and SetUp for Subsea 7 Construction vessels"
document number AB-S-HT-02038.
  Update QINSy navigation string. This must be upodated for each and every new task. Refer to "How
To SetUp a Generic Driver for VisualDVR" document AB-S-HT-02035 for configuration guide.
 Maintain DVR register spreadsheet of recorded video tasks using form FO-GL-SUR-052-A. This
register should be used to assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the file structure on the
Visualworks system. Refer to ‘Example Digital Video Register’ in the ‘Subsea 7 Processes’ section.
 Supporting the Survey Party Chief as required and requested to ensure optimal operation and
performance of the system.

Survey Data Processors

The offline survey data processors role is one of quality control and reviewing the video data to support
processing, eventing and reporting.

 Visual check on quality of video recorded; report anomalies to Survey Party Chief.
 Review of video data to determine event listing.
 Supporting the Survey Party Chief as required and requested to ensure optimal operation and
performance of the system.

Selective Recording

The digital video system rapidly records terabytes of data and is necessarily limited by the amount of data that the
system is able to store on the NAS drive. Data management, integrity and security is the primary concern with
these systems. Consequently we need to be sensible, and indeed frugal, with the amount of non-project or client-
required data that is recorded. The primary objective of the digital video system is to provide the client deliverable.
It is requested that video data required during any subsea testing, standby, extended descents and ascents are
only recorded to the back-up video system such as the black-box VCR or DVD system.

DVR Recording Modes

The DVR should be set to BlackBox recording mode, this is denoted in bottom left hand corner of the DVR display
which displays ’BlackBox’. In this mode, the DVR records video files to the internal hdd, of 30 minute duration. A
file is logged on hdd as *.blk which is NOT transferred to any logging device configured on VisualArchive. These
*.blk files will remain on the internal hdd until such time as the internal hdd fills up and an overwrite sequence
begins starting with the earliest *.blk file.

At any point in time during DVR BlackBox mode the DVR can be set to start recording. This would normally be a
start of survey specific task. At this point the DVR will close the current *.blk and open a new *.asf file. This is
denoted in the bottom left hand corner of the DVR display which changes from ‘BlackBox’ to ‘REC’. Files will
continue to be recorded as *.asf which WILL BE transferred to any device configured on VisualArchive. When all
devices set-up for copying to have been copied the file, the *.asf filename on the internal hdd will then be changed
to *.arc. The *.arc file will not be deleted until such time as the internal hdd fills up and an overwrite sequence
begins, starting with the earliest *.arc or *.blk file.

Video Header

Historically when recording video to either DVD or VHS media, a video header has been created at the start and
at the end of each new tape or DVD. However with video now being recorded to hdd in file lengths of 30 minute
the start and end of tape or DVD headers would have to be recorded at the start and end of each 30 minute file to
provide similar value within the VisualWorks system. This is obviously not practical and the information that was
previously contained within the video start and end headers will now be logged continuously within VisualWorks
by means of appending this information to the QINSy navigation data string which is transmitted to the DVR.
Variable parameters such as Client, Project, Task Vehicle and Vessel will be manually set through the online
QINSy PC data output driver. Refer to "DVR Survey QINSy Navigation data string" section below for further
information and configuration guide.
NOTE: The actual ‘Task‘ that is being worked on should be displayed on the Video Overlay. This requires the
QINSy navigation string to be changed for each new task. Refer to "How To SetUp a Generic Driver for
VisualDVR" document AB-S-HT-02035 for configuration guide.
This navigation string which includes the header data is received by the DVR and is stored, once a second, as
separate file which is contained within the sub directory where the 30min video files are stored.

The navigation string including the header data information can be accessed during playback using VisualReview
viewer software as shown below. The navigation string is available by selecting the ‘Raw Survey’ tab shown in the
middle window below and should contain the following data fields (ASF Visualsoft Index, Date, Time, KP, DCC,
Easting, Northing, Depth, Altitude, Heading, Pitch, Roll, Client, Project, Task, Vehicle, Vessel). See "DVR Survey
QINSy Navigation data string" section below for further information.

Therefore the relevant information which was previously contained within the video headers is now available by
referring to the ‘Raw Survey’ tab and the Project Tree Folder contained with VisualWorks which is shown below.

Video Quality

The contrast, brightness and saturation of the encoded video can and will vary when compared to the standard
ROV composite monitors. It is therefore essential that these parameters are continually monitored and adjusted
accordingly to ensure optimal recording quality. Refer to VisualSoft’s "VisualDVR" manual, section ‘Adjust Picture
Menu’.
DVR Survey QINSy Navigation Data String

The VisualDVR logs received data from the online QINSy Navigation computer. The time and date field contained
within the string is utilised by the VisualWorks system for synchronisation. The data string also contains other
relevant survey positional and client specific data. The data string format is fixed and should not deviate from the
format shown below, however the data fields of Client, Project, Task, ROV and Vessel name should be
substituted and set according to project specifics.

The QINSy data output string to the VisualDVR(s) is shown below and this format must not deviate. Refer to
"How To SetUp a Generic Driver for VisualDVR" document AB-S-HT-02035 for configuration guide.
 Date, Time, KP, DCC, Easting, Northing, Depth, Altitude, Heading, Pitch, Roll, Client, Project, Task,
ROV, Vessel

NOTE: The actual ‘Task’ that is being worked on should be displayed on the Video Overlay. This requires the
QINSy navigation string to be changed for each new task. Refer to "How To SetUp a Generic Driver for
VisualDVR" document AB-S-HT-02035 for configuration guide.

NAS Data Management

The video data is initially recorded to the DVR internal HDD, once the video file is closed the video is transferred
(automatically via VisualArchive PC) to the NAS. The NAS becomes the main holding area for the video data. The
NAS has a finite amount of storage space and must be managed on an ongoing basis to ensure that sufficient
space is available for recording ROV activities. The NAS data storage is controlled via the VisualArchive PC.

Time Synchronisation

The VisualWorks network requires an external time synchronisation source to synchronise the VisualDVR
encoders within the VisualSoft network. This external time source is contained within the QINSy survey data string
which is sent to the VisualDVR PC through a serial data communications link. The external time source is sent in
UTC time. Refer to "How To Configure Time Synchronisation for VisualDVR on Subsea 7 ROV Operations"
document AB-S-HT-02034.

Client Data Management

The media for delivery of video data to the client will be project specific and should be checked but in most cases
will be some form of HDD. The HDD will normally be connected via a USB to the VisualArchive PC which will
identify when a HDD is reaching its maximum storage capacity. When capacity has been reached the HDD should
be replaced with a new unit.

Verifying Video Data on NAS and Client HDD

During each day where new video has been recorded a 10 minute check should be performed to ensure that
video has been recorded successfully. This should be a random selection of files recorded on that day. Review
should be performed using VisualWork’s VisualReview software. Please refer to VisualSoft’s "VisualWorks
Administration and QC" guide, section "VisualEdit and VisualReview" for how to access video on NAS and client
HDD.

Verifying LTO4 Tape

When a tape has been considered to be completed ie either the tape is full or at end of project then a verification
process must be performed. Note: The VisualArchive performs a verification of each file that is written, this
Verification process described here is in addition to this automated verification process.

This process is used to perform verification of tape and to create a 2nd copy tape ie there will be 2 LTO4 tapes for
the same data, an original and a copy. The following steps should be performed:

1. The LTO4 tape should be recovered using VisualArchive to a separate HDD i.e. not the NAS disk. Refer
to VisualSoft’s "VisualWorks Operating Procedures" section ‘Recover Video From Tape’.
2. The recovery process for an entire tape will take approx. 4 hours.
3. Use VisualReview to view the recovered video by opening and playing the files – not all data needs to
be reviewed, just a selection of files throughout the period of the survey contained on the tape. A 30
minute period of playing random files should be sufficient. See section on "Verifying Video Data on
NAS and Client HDD".
4. Assuming successful verification the VisualArchive should be used to reconstruct the data from the
existing tape onto a new blank tape. Refer to VisualSoft’s "VisualWorks Operating Procedures"
section ‘Make a Tape Copy’.
5. The reconstruct process will take approximately 4 hours.
6. The process of recovery and reconstruction will take approximately 9hrs, during this time it will still be
possible for VisualArchive to copy the data from the VisualDVR onto the NAS but the tape backup will
build up a queue of files whilst the recovery/verification/reconstruction process is taking place.
7. To minimise the delay to the online tape backup it is preferable to perform verification when little or no
live digital video recording is required. However if during the recovery process new video is recorded, in
order to minimise the queue of data to be backed up it would be advisable to clear the backup queue
backlog after the recovery process and prior to the reconstruction phase.
8. When the recovery/reconstruct is completed VisualArchive should be reset back to standard operation
and any tape backup queue cleared so that the system is fully operational once again.

6th June 2008