Automated Control Systems Assessments

• System Architecture Design & Review
  Functional decomposition, redundancy strategy, fail‑safe design, network topology, and cybersecurity controls (segmentation, access, logging).
• PLC/SCADA Engineering
  Controller specification, I/O mapping, interlock logic, alarm rationalisation, HMI/UX, historian/digital logging, and version control.
• Alarm Management & Interlocks
  Prioritisation, annunciation hierarchy, inhibit rules, safe states, and bypass governance to reduce nuisance alarms and strengthen operator response.
• Instrumentation & Sensors
  Selection, calibration plans, diagnostics, and lifecycle management for pressure, flow, gas analysis, temperature, oxygen dosing, and environmental control.
• Data & Digital Logging
  Time‑stamped event logs, audit trails, trend analysis, and integration with reporting, PMS, and compliance packs.
• Cyber & Functional Safety
  Risk‑based protections for automated systems: password policy, role‑based access, change control, backups, restore drills, and functional safety checks.

Surface‑Supplied Diving Systems

• Air/mixed‑gas panels, umbilical management, communications, winches/LARS control, deck interfaces, and diver monitoring.

Saturation Diving Systems

• Chambers, TUP, habitats, environmental control, life support (scrubbers, heaters, oxygen dosing), gas storage/reclaim/purification, and integrated control rooms.

Cross‑System Functions

• Power distribution, hydraulic/pneumatic controls, safety interlocks, alarm annunciation, historian/logging, and operator interfaces (HMI/SCADA).

ORCA conducts systematic assessments of automated diving plant and equipment to verify integrity, reliability, and compliance, identifying gaps and delivering clear closure plans.

• Control philosophy & functional specification review
• PLC/HMI logic verification, failure mode testing, and safe‑state checks
• Alarm rationalisation (priorities, suppression, routing) and bypass governance
• Interlock integrity, proof testing, and emergency function validation
• Instrumentation calibration, diagnostics, and spares strategy
• Cybersecurity posture: access control, segmentation, patching, backups, restore tests
• Documentation: P&IDs, cause‑and‑effect matrices, I/O lists, FDS, SDS, FAT/SAT records

Extend reliability and improve usability with targeted upgrades:

• PLC/SCADA migration (legacy to modern platforms), version control, and change management
• HMI/UX improvements for clarity, alarm response, and human‑factors design
• DigiGauge & digital monitoring integration for accurate, resilient readouts
• Alarm rationalisation programmes to reduce fatigue and enhance situational awareness
• Network hardening & cybersecurity (segmentation, RBAC, audit logging)
• Redundancy enhancements for life support, power, and critical instrumentation

Automated control systems perform best when embedded in your Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and compliance framework:

• Link proof tests, calibrations, alarms, and interlock checks to PMS tasks
• Maintain audit‑ready digital logs for certification and client acceptance
• Trend performance (MTBF/MTTR, alarm rates) to drive reliability improvements
• Store design records, change control, and test evidence in a controlled document set

1. Discovery & Requirements Capture – Operational profile, compliance targets, constraints
2. Design Review & Gap Analysis – Architecture, logic, alarms, interlocks, cybersecurity
3. Implementation – PLC/SCADA configuration, HMI, instrumentation, networking
4. Testing & Validation – FAT/SAT, cause‑and‑effect, fail‑safe and emergency drills
5. Documentation & Handover – Manuals, drawings, test records, training materials
6. Lifecycle Support – PMS integration, updates, remote/onsite technical assistance

• Control philosophy, FDS/SDS, I/O lists, cause‑and‑effect matrices
• Alarm registers, rationalisation reports, bypass/inhibit procedures
• Calibration plans, test scripts, FAT/SAT reports, certificates
• Digital logging configuration, historian setup, reporting templates
• Change control records, backups, restore verification, user access matrix
• Training materials and operational handover documentation

• Diving domain expertise across life support, gas systems, LARS, and habitats
• Compliance‑first approach with audit‑ready documentation and evidence packs
• Human‑centred design for clearer HMIs and faster, safer operator response
• Lifecycle value through maintainable architectures and robust PMS integration
• Global capability with rapid mobilisation for onshore and offshore projects

Strengthen safety, reliability, and compliance with automated control systems designed and validated for real‑world diving operations.  

Contact ORCA below to schedule a system assessment or modernisation workshop.