Relevant Statutes:
· Management
and Administration Regulations 1992 [MAR]
· Offshore
Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response)
Regulations 1995 [PFEER]
The Duty Holder shall ensure that there are effective
communications between the offshore installation and
- the
shore
- vessels
including any standby vessels
- aircraft
- other
installations
This duty includes provision of equipment and ensuring there
are competent operators available and setting out relevant procedures. When a
helicopter visits an unmanned installation (i.e. there are no persons on the
installation prior to arrival or after departure) effective communications are
required between the helicopter and
- a
suitable offshore installation or,
- where
there is no such installation, suitable premises ashore
A suitable installation is the nearest manned installation
in a position to establish operational conditions (wind etc.) and keep the
pilot informed. With an installation close to the coast, an onshore base may be
better placed to provide the information.
Communications in Emergencies
The Duty Holder shall make appropriate arrangements for
giving warning of an emergency, by audible and, where necessary, visual alarm
systems to all persons on the installation
- for
the purpose of emergency response
- for
communication between persons on the installation
- persons
working in the vicinity the installation, and
- appropriate
organisations e.g. coastguard
The Duty Holder shall ensure that, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the arrangements are capable of remaining effective in an
emergency.
The Duty Holder must ensure that the illuminated signs for warning
of toxic gas is a red flashing sign is in all other cases a yellow flashing
sign that the acoustic signals for; prepare for evacuation is a continuous
signal of variable frequency and that the warning of toxic gas is a continuous
signal of a constant frequency.