Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Helicopter Operations and Helideck Safety

Helicopter operations require dedicated firefighting personnel during refuelling, safety devices on the helideck and rigorous coordination with the flight crew: an area often neglected in general crew training.

helideck helicopter operations SOLAS III/28 helicopter

## Operational Explanation

Onboard helicopter operations (personnel transfer, medical evacuation, refuelling) require a dedicated area (helicopter landing area/helideck) compliant with specific construction and operational standards, distinct from the ship's normal safety requirements. Although mandatory only for specific ship categories (ro-ro passenger ships ≥130m per SOLAS III/28.2), helicopter operability potentially concerns any ship in medical emergency or evacuation situations.

The helideck's manoeuvring area must have a diameter not less than the helicopter's overall length (rotors turning included), and its construction, if it forms the roof of a superstructure, must be insulated to A-60 class with access for firefighting and rescue personnel positioned, where possible, on opposite sides of the helideck.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Regulation III/28.2 requires a helicopter landing area on ro-ro passenger ships ≥130m built from 1 July 1999; Regulation II-2/18 governs the helideck's firefighting systems. MSC.1/Circ.1310/Rev.2 (24 June 2024, in force from 1 January 2025) replaces the previous revision; a new Chapter 17 of the FSS Code is under development with mandatory requirements for helideck foam firefighting systems.

## Scope of Application

Ships fitted with a helideck/helicopter landing area, and more generally any ship that may need to manage a medical evacuation or helicopter transfer even without a formally certified dedicated area.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify the availability and operability of the helideck's dedicated firefighting equipment before any planned operation.
2. Ensure the presence of dedicated firefighting personnel during every helicopter refuelling operation.
3. Coordinate with the flight crew on signage, reference points and radio communications before approach.
4. Verify that the manoeuvring area is clear of obstacles and that non-essential personnel are kept away during operations.
5. Conduct a pre-operation briefing on roles, escape routes and emergency procedures specific to the helicopter operation.

## Practical Example

Example: before an emergency medical transfer, the Master designates the dedicated firefighting personnel for the helideck, verifies wind conditions and the availability of the manoeuvring area by radio with the pilot, and conducts a quick briefing with the crew involved on roles and escape routes in case of an emergency during the operation.

## Real Cases

Industry guidelines (Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations) arose precisely from analysing incidents in which a lack of coordination between the ship's crew and the flight crew, or the absence of dedicated firefighting personnel during refuelling, turned routine operations into emergencies, highlighting that this area requires specific preparation, distinct from the ship's general firefighting training.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Helicopter operation conducted without dedicated firefighting personnel present during refuelling | Critical response time lost in the event of ignition during refuelling | Always designate and position dedicated firefighting personnel before refuelling begins
Coordination with the flight crew limited to informal last-minute communications | Misunderstandings over signage, reference points or operational conditions | Always conduct structured radio coordination before approach
Non-essential personnel not kept clear of the manoeuvring area during operations | Risk of injury from the rotor or flying objects during landing/take-off | Rigorously delimit and enforce the safety zone during every operation

## PSC Observations

Helicopter operations are not typically subject to routine PSC verification, but on ships fitted with a certified helideck, PSCOs may verify the structural compliance of the area and the availability of the dedicated firefighting equipment required by SOLAS II-2/18.

## Operational Tips

- Don't treat helicopter operations as a rare event to be improvised: keep a written, up-to-date procedure even if the occasion is infrequent.
- Always verify the availability of dedicated firefighting personnel before authorising refuelling, with no exceptions for perceived urgency.
- Consult the Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations (ICS) for detailed procedures, if the ship does not have a sufficiently developed internal procedure.

## Checklist

- Helideck's dedicated firefighting equipment verified operational before the operation
- Dedicated firefighting personnel designated and present during refuelling
- Radio coordination with the flight crew conducted before approach
- Manoeuvring area clear of obstacles and non-essential personnel kept away
- Pre-operation briefing conducted on roles, escape routes and emergency procedures

## FAQ

Which ships must have a helicopter landing area?
Ro-ro passenger ships of 130m or more in length built from 1 July 1999, per SOLAS Regulation III/28.2; other ships may have one on a voluntary basis.
Why is dedicated firefighting personnel needed during helicopter refuelling?
Because refuelling is the highest-risk ignition phase of helicopter operations, requiring an immediate response in the event of a spill or a fire starting.
What changes with MSC.1/Circ.1310/Rev.2?
It updates, from 1 January 2025, the previous technical recommendations on onboard helicopter operability; a new Chapter 17 of the FSS Code is also under development with mandatory requirements for helideck foam firefighting systems.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Fire Drill and Fire Safety Ship Security Plan and the ISPS Code

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