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.
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
- Verify the availability and operability of the helideck's dedicated firefighting equipment before any planned operation.
- Ensure the presence of dedicated firefighting personnel during every helicopter refuelling operation.
- Coordinate with the flight crew on signage, reference points and radio communications before approach.
- Verify that the manoeuvring area is clear of obstacles and that non-essential personnel are kept away during operations.
- 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
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
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