The seating configuration of the AW109SP has the HHO positioned at the sliding door with three seats opposite him. The helicopter pilots strap in and go through their pre-start checks, engine start-ups, and pre-takeoff briefing. Then we are airborne.
The first vessel is the Graceful Leader situated about 5 NM offshore. Routing is via the harbor entrance and out to sea. Copilot Kim Watchurst completes the radio calls to Virginia Airport and establishes radio communication with the incoming vessel. The vessel is welcomed to the Port of Durban and advises that the marine pilot is en route via helicopter. Mark Bassier, the helicopter captain, flies around the vessel to assess the winds, swells and safest position to hoist the marine pilot onto the deck.
Hovering abeam the vessel, the TNPA marine pilot onboard the helicopter gets the thumbs up from the HHO, Leonard Shange. The marine pilot removes his headset, puts the strop around himself, and secures himself to the hoist. He then unbuckles himself from the seatbelt and positions himself at the door to be lowered down
safely towards the deck. With meticulous patter from the HHO, the helicopter moves slowly into position over the vessel and the identified safe-winching area, while constantly assessing all external factors around the vessel as it steams towards the harbor. The coordination between the helicopter captain and HHO, especially in the last few feet before the marine pilot reaches the vessel deck that is pitching and rolling in the swell, requires precision and a high level of skill. After the safe deployment of the marine pilot, the hoist is retrieved, the HHO closes the door, and the helicopter moves away and backwards from the vessel before rotating.
Having experienced myself trying to walk in a straight-ish line on a pitching and rolling deck, and being hoisted in relatively calm swell and conditions, I can only admire the team members for their abilities, and only imagine the enhanced skill required in trickier environments.
The TNPA Aviation Standard Operating Procedures assist in providing consistency and stability, and help crews adapt and deal with the constantly changing environmental conditions. Vessel positions
for marine pilot drop-off can be far out to sea, with swell and wind conditions being highly variable. Therefore, a tight-knit team that is well trained and familiar with the tried and tested procedures is critical.
We land back at the base and shut down, keen to relax for a quick coffee break. No sooner than when the kettle has boiled, the next call comes through. We receive the details of the sailing vessel, recheck gear and climb back into the helicopter. The container vessel that is exiting the harbor is leaving earlier than expected. The TNPA marine pilot is onboard the vessel and coordinating the departure with the tugs. The tug ropes are released and the vessel is now steering towards the channel. I am positioned on the North Breakwater pier for this shot. The TNPA AW109SP helicopter flies alongside the vessel as it exits the harbor entrance, expertly positioning in a gap amongst the containers where the TNPA marine pilot is waiting to be hoisted up.
This vessel operation was the most impressive because of the timing to meet the vessel and the close hoisting confines on a container ship traveling at speed.
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