ADVERTORIAL
CHOCKS AWAY
Chris Wood, Operations Manager at Safeguard Helideck Certification, looks at the requirements for helideck safety onboard superyachts
but what does that really mean? It means that we have the authorisation to inspect superyacht helidecks and certify that they meet the regulations and standards required for commercial aviation on board superyachts.
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Chris Wood, an ex-Naval Aviator has 20 years of ship/air integration experience, including 5 years working at Safeguard Helideck Certification. “We fly all around the world to conduct Helicopter Landing Area Certifications (HLACs) onboard some of the world’s most iconic superyachts.” The focus of our work can be broadly split into two areas.
The Certification Process – Design
Our role as an AIB is to ensure that aviation onboard superyachts is taking place in the safest possible manor, but superyacht designs are constantly evolving with many owners now specifying a requirement for multiple helidecks. The safety implications for this are considerable as the possibility of concurrent flying operations from the same vessel throws up numerous hazards that need to be carefully addressed. We therefore encourage early engagement of our team when a yacht is at the design stage, so that our expertise in deck loading, air flow disruption and helideck location can be fully utilised. This allows for a smooth process in gaining the required helideck certification for the completed yacht. A Helicopter Landing Area Technical Certificate (HLATC) covering the design activities will remain valid for as long as the design remains unchanged. Any design changes would require a new HLATC to be issued.
afeguard Helideck operate as an Aviation Inspection Body (AIB) authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency…
It is also important to ensure the owner’s needs and requirements have been met fully. This includes ensuring that the design team knows which helicopter the owner wants to operate on their yacht as the deck loading requirements for a H125 are significantly different to those of a H175. If this is not accounted for then changes may have to be made to the helicopter landing area/s and this in turn can impact the overall aesthetic of the yacht and delay the completion. We are well versed in working with multiple teams to ensure that such pitfalls can be avoided, the completion can be on time and the aviation safety requirements are met.
The Certification Process – Operational We do our best to be as responsive as possible to our clients and will fly wherever we are required to provide a helideck assessment. We have great respect for the privacy of our clients and regularly work with a Non-Disclosure Agreement in place. Once onboard for a Helideck Certification Assessment, we look at the helideck itself to evaluate dimension, layout, obstructions, deck friction levels, landing area markings and structural considerations.
We also review the fire detection and extinguishing arrangements, the emergency equipment, procedures, and all documentation associated with helicopter operations onboard. Once the criteria for the inspection have been satisfied then a Helicopter Landing Area Inspection Report (HLAIR) and a Helicopter Landing Area Certificate (HLAC) are generated, and a thorough debrief given to the vessel’s crew.
A HLAC covering operations will be valid for 12 months, but it will cease to be valid if there is a change of ownership, the name of the vessel changes, or if there are material changes to the helicopter landing area, aviation facilities or equipment without consultation and approval from an AIB.
As a team Safeguard helideck Certification have over 60 years of experience operating helicopters on vessels at sea in the military. Our team comprises of Ex-military Aircrew, Flight Deck Officers, Survival Specialists, Safety Management Specialists, Engineers and Naval Architects. We live and breathe maritime aviation and strive to ensure that superyachts can enjoy their helicopter operations in the safest way possible.”
For more information visit
www.helideckcertification.co.uk Or call Chris Wood on: +44 (0)7779 606589
ONBOARD | WINTER 2021 | 129
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