“Hi everyone! I trust you’re all doing well. Let’s get started!” Ludovic, the Production Manager (IRP) opens the daily coordination meeting which includes the participation of Naval Group Supervisors and Work Package Managers, the frigate’s Deputy Commanding Officer, a representative from the Fleet support service (SSF), several members of the crew and from the French Navy’s Logistics Department, as well as Safety Officers assigned to this worksite.
The work scheduled for this week is displayed on the white wall in the meeting room, which serves as an overhead projector screen. The meeting room window provides a view of the mast of the FREMM and the very first workers can be seen arriving on board.
“The two shaft lines will be removed in three days’ time. The bottom of the dock will need to be cleared to install the necessary tools”, pursues Ludovic. Following a quick discussion, supervisors and crew members decide on how best to proceed before everyone turns their attention back to the work schedule. Ludovic continues, “The sonar pit must be cleared today to proceed with the work scheduled in this area tomorrow”.
Software dedicated to managing coactivity
The atmosphere in the room is congenial but industrious, the pace brisk and efficient; the worksite awaits and there’s no time to lose. After going over the week’s schedule, the IRP moves on to work planned on the following day using a software which helps to manage coactivity, developed by Naval Group. Each task planned, whether on board or at the bottom of the dock, corresponds to a work line. A colour code and a series of symbols makes it possible to rapidly identify the type of work planned (electricity, welding, painting, etc.), their specificities if any (work in confined spaces, work at heights, open flames, etc.) and the part of the boat on which the work is to be performed.
Ludovic continues to read out the work lines scheduled. Each of the participants around the table confirms the status of ongoing operations and their plans for the day. Using this software, the schedule is adjusted in real time, as the meeting progresses: “Blasting of the topsides was completed yesterday, ahead of schedule. We can start draining portside as from tomorrow”. The supervisors promptly get reorganised. They also take note of the instructions to give their team members to ensure worksite safety. The IRP emphasises, “Take care, open flame operations will be performed in this room. Remember to close the cocoon door behind you, ensure a fireman’s in the vicinity and that the smoke aspiration system is in good working order!”
In addition to ensuring improved safety conditions for all workers on site, minutely managing this coactivity also helps to optimise overall performance: the overview provided thanks to this software, associated with Naval Group’s technical expertise, facilitates decision-making for the IRP and contributes to keeping things running smoothly on the worksite. Everyone around the table shares the same objective: to ensure the quality of work performed as per the schedule defined by the French Navy.
Close collaboration with the crew
The daily coordination meeting is also an opportunity to reinforce ties with the FREMM crew, the SSF and the French Navy’s Logistics Department. Manufacturers and the crew, each play defined and complementary roles for the duration of the work. Ludovic, for example, has a word with the ship’s Deputy Commanding Officer, alerting him on an operation to be performed on an electrical cabinet. The Officer confirms, “We will broadcast an announcement on board to inform workers of the lockout/tagout of equipment”.
Through the day, several crew members will also join Naval Group technicians in performing maintenance operations. At sea, they need to be capable of performing preliminary operations in case of damage.
Participants around the table have now finished listing work lines. They wrap up the last few details before donning their safety helmets and heading to the worksite where the day has only just begun...
