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Relevant Statutes:

• Management and Administration Regulations 1992 [MAR]

Procedure

The Duty Holder must have procedures, that have been agreed with the helicopter operator, for safe helideck operations, these should include:

• radio communications
• operation of cranes
• refuelling

Radio room personnel, helideck and helicopter crews must be aware of the agreed procedures for helicopters approaching, landing and departing.

Helicopter Landing Officer

The Duty Holder is responsible for ensuring that a competent person is appointed as the helicopter landing officer (HLO) who mill be responsible for the day-to-day management of the helideck, associated helideck operations and the helideck crew. Everyone has to co-operate with the HLO to enable him to carry out his functions. When a helicopter visits an installation with no persons on board it must take a competent HLO.

Equipment

Equipment must be provided for safe helicopter operations and should include:

• chocks and tie-down straps
• equipment for clearing the helideck of ice and snow
• a power source for starting helicopters
• if appropriate refuelling equipment

The Duty Holder must keep available near the helicopter landing are equipment necessary for the use in the event of an accident involving a helicopter.

Communications

When a helicopter visits an unmanned installation or leaves an installation unmanned effective communications have to be established between the helicopter and
a) the nearest manned installation which can supply operational information or
b) a shore establishment that can supply the information

Recommended Further Reading

• Guidelines on the management of offshore helideck operations UKOOA
• CAP 437 Offshore helicopter landing areas; a guide to criteria etc. Civil Aviation Authority.
• Offshore helidecks - advice to industry rev.ed., HSE, 1999. (Operations notice 47). Available on subscription from HSE Books. Published September 1999. Notice is drawn to recent Civil Aviation Authority guidance on offshore helicopter landing areas.
• Offshore Helideck Design and Operation rev.ed., HSE, 1999. (Safety notice 4/99). Available on subscription from HSE Books. Published Sept1999. Notifies offshore industry of new safety related research in area of helideck design.