One of the dominant operations for offshore rigs is the control of ballast water. Advanced functions like Loading Sequence and Load Assist can help the Master to quickly establish the ballasting procedure to reach the desired drafts. These functions suggest which ballast tanks should be loaded and in what amount, and then create custom-tailored reports.

Additional functions include the calculation of available Variable Deck Load (VDL) based on the selected MaxVCG curve, moving of the topside elements, detailed mooring loads, etc.

Hydro can operate in two distinct modes for self-elevating units: as a sailing vessel or as an elevated unit. This flexibility is achieved by the ability to set the leg extension for each individual leg.

In the sailing vessel mode, when the leg extension is less than the water depth, all relevant criteria from the IMO MODU Code are checked. If the water depth is less than the leg extension, the vessel is considered to be resting on the seabed and subsequently lifted out of the water, with a reacting force present. In this elevated position, CoG envelope curves are checked to ensure stability.

Recent years have seen the expansion of Floating Fish Farming Units. These vessels can have unique shapes, and their stability requirements usually combine different types of IMO MODU criteria. Due to its versatile nature and flexibility, such units do not present any challenge for Hydro.