Guidance

Section 2 - Large Yacht Helideck Procedures & Emergency Response Training

Published 11 March 2024

1. Specification of Large Yacht Helideck Procedures & Emergency Response Training

1.1 Introduction

The correct performance of standard procedures and an immediate response to emergency situations by the helideck team are the key factors in the safety of all crew and passengers on the yacht and helicopter. It should be recognised that acquiring of appropriate knowledge and training would be the key to maintaining safety and preventing incidents occurring onboard.

1.2 Aim

On completion of the training, the trainees will have an awareness of hazards associated with working in the vicinity of helicopters and on yacht helidecks.

1.3 Objectives

Trainees will be able to:

• Assist in the preparation of the helideck for flying operations.
• Assist in the safe embarkation/ disembarkation of helicopter passengers and crew.
• Take appropriate actions in response to non-fire related emergencies.

1.4 Entry Standards

Trainees must hold valid certificates for all four elements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Basic Training prior to attending this module.

• Personal Survival Techniques (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-1);
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-2);
• Elementary First Aid (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-3);
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-4).

The training provider must ensure that learners are fit to participate in all aspects of the training. If there is any doubt as to an individual’s ability to participate in such exercises an appropriate risk assessment should be carried out to determine what is required in order to proceed in a safe manner. Training providers may consider utilizing the ENG1 medical certificate, or equivalent, as an indicator of fitness.

1.5 Course Intake Limitations

The trainer to learner ratio shall not exceed 1:6 for practical and 1:12 for non-practical sessions. The training provider, having due regard to health and safety and the objectives of the training, shall determine other staffing requirements.

Practical elements are to be conducted in groups of a minimum of three or as per the yacht’s Helideck Landing Areas Operations Manual, whichever is greater, with one trainee (or an additional instructor) acting in the Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) role during each exercise.

1.6 Staff Requirements

Properly qualified personnel should carry out all training and assessments. All staff must:

• Understand the specific objectives of the training,
• Be familiar with the operation of helicopters from marine helidecks,
• Have knowledge, training and experience in helicopter emergency response,
• Have an understanding of instructional techniques and practices, and assessment methods and practices. As a minimum, this should meet the standards of the City & Guilds Train the Trainer course^{[footnote 1]}, or equivalent^{[footnote 2]},
• Have an understanding of the particular problems of helicopter operations on large yachts,
• Hold a First Aid at Work qualification, Elementary First Aid (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-3), or equivalent.

1.7 Facilities

This course may be delivered onboard or ashore following a risk assessment conducted by the approved trainer to ensure the facilities are suitable.

These risk assessments shall be retained as they may be audited at Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) course reapproval audits.

1.8 Training Plan

The training modules detailed in sections two to four (Large Yacht Helideck Procedures & Emergency Response Training, Large Yacht Helicopter Landing Officer Training and Large Yacht Helideck Fire Fighting training) of this syllabus may be delivered as a full-time block course of at least 16 hours duration, i.e., 16 hours contact time. If delivered in this manner, the modules need not be split equally by time but enough time must be allowed to fully cover the module.

If this module is delivered as a standalone unit, it should be provided as a full-time block course of at least six hours duration, i.e., six hours contact time.

The training should be provided over an appropriate number of days to fully cover the course criteria. A training day should have no more than eight contact hours and cannot be more than 10 hours, including relevant breaks.

It is recommended that practical work should make up at least 50% of this contact time.

1.9 Assessment

The training must be organised so that, by demonstration, trainees are able to show that they meet the requirements of column 2 of Table A in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence in column 3 of that table and the criteria for evaluating competence in column 4.

1.10 Quality Management System (QMS)

The training provider must have a formally documented health and safety management system and a QMS that complies with MSN 1865 – Amendment 1, Annex F (or subsequent publication) and ensures: 

• A continued satisfactory delivery of the programme to the current standards, reflecting changes of technology and best practice(s);
• The training programme entry standards are met;
• Where a written assessment or a practical examination is required, the same person does not carry out the training and assessment of the programme. Where two people are acting as instructors they may alternate between assessor and instructor. QMS procedures should detail how the assessment is quality assured, how continuous practical assessment is achieved, if required, and provide an appropriate set of questions;
• Only those who complete the training programme and meet any other necessary requirements are issued with certificates/documentary evidence;
• Certificates are issued in a format that meets the MCA requirements (available in the MCA criteria guidelines);
• Records of certificates issued are securely maintained until the 70th birthday of the certificate holder or 5 years from the date of issue, whichever is the longer;
• The record system enables the authenticity of certificates to be verified and replacement certificates to be issued;
• Where approved for peripatetic delivery^{[footnote 3]}, a formal risk assessment (see section 4.3 of MSN 1865 – Amendment 1, Annex F) is carried out to ascertain the suitability of each venue and records of such assessment are retained for 5 years. This risk assessment can be conducted by the instructor on arrival to the venue;
• The approving MCA Marine Office (MO) has information about the dates, timing and venues of all courses delivered; and
• Any changes made to the course content, facilities, equipment, training staff or other matters that may affect the delivery of the programme are reported to the approving MO without delay.

2. Guidance on conduct and structure of Large Yacht Helideck Procedures & Emergency Response training

It is recommended that this module is delivered as a combined course with the Large Yacht Helideck Fire Fighting module.

2.1 Principles and Procedures Session

Classroom instruction on principles and procedures regarding operations on a yacht’s helideck.

1. Helideck team organization

1. Roles and responsibilities of Helideck team including:
   1. Helideck Responsible Officer (HRO)
   2. Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO)
   3. Helideck Assistant (HDA)

2. Regulation and Relevant Publications: An Introduction

3. Helicopter

1. Light/Medium twin turbine, single turbine and piston engine helicopters should be discussed, with particular reference to:
   1. Tail rotor hazard
   2. Exhaust hazard
   3. Low main rotor hazard and Blade sail
   4. Rotor disc discipline
   5. Approach routes to/from helicopter
   6. Access to helicopter – standard and emergency
   7. Seat belts – use of harness knife
   8. Emergency shutdown procedures – generic
   9. Pyrotechnic, electrical and mechanical hazards
2. Awareness of larger helicopters and the associate risks.

4. Helideck

1. Preparing helideck and surrounding areas for flight operations
2. Foreign Object Debris (FOD)
3. Potential hazards to personnel on helideck
4. Safe areas
5. Helideck markings and lighting
6. Access and escape routes
7. Preparation of equipment
8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
9. Correct stowage of helideck furniture and other ancillaries
10. Helideck equipment normally carried on yachts
11. Fixed and portable fire fighting equipment normally carried on yacht helidecks
12. Ground handling equipment
13. Use of handrails and dangers of tripping hazards

5. Standard Procedures

1. Familiarisation with Helideck Landing Areas Operations Manual
2. Importance of using standard procedures Importance of training and drills
3. Communications:
   1. Yacht to helicopter
   2. Bridge to helideck
   3. Helideck team – hand signals
4. Standard helicopter approach/departure
5. Transfer of flight watch
6. Correct manning of helideck equipment
7. Correct positioning of helideck team during landing/take-off
8. Passenger handling
9. Cargo loading/unloading
10. Dangerous Goods by Air Awareness regulations
11. Securing helicopter to deck
12. Ground handling of helicopter
13. Role of the Officer of the Watch

6. Emergency Response

1. Principles:
   1. Protection of self
   2. Personal dynamic risk assessment
   3. Safety of life
2. Types of emergencies:
   1. Heavy landings
   2. Crash on deck
   3. Ditching helicopter
3. Prompt corrective action is taken and communicated to appropriate persons in response to actual or potentially hazardous situations
4. Emergency response procedures
5. Approaching crashed helicopter
6. Importance of maintaining escape route
7. Passenger evacuation
8. First aid and casualty extraction
9. Un-ignited fuel spills

Practical Session

All trainees are required to participate in practical exercises and demonstrate the competence to perform the actions listed in Column 3 of Table A.

2.2 Table A - Specification of Minimum Standard of Competence in Large Yacht Helideck Procedures and Emergency Response

COLUMN 1	COLUMN 2	COLUMN 3	COLUMN 4
Competences	Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency	Methods for Demonstrating Competence	Criteria for Evaluating Competence
Work safely in the vicinity of helicopters on a yacht helideck	Helicopter hazards Helideck hazards Approach routes to/from helicopter Communication in high noise environment	Delegates will be assessed against the learning outcomes using direct observation and oral and written questions as appropriate. Debriefs must be conducted with participating delegates on the completion of practical exercises. Practical demonstration of competence during non-emergency drills of helicopter passenger transfer to/from yacht.	The timing and sequence of individual’s actions are appropriate to the prevailing circumstance and conditions and minimize potential risks. Takes correct action in response to hand signals.
Conduct standard helicopter arrival and departure procedures	Preparations for flying operations The dangers of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Duties to be performed during standard procedures Passenger handling Cargo/baggage handling Securing helicopter on deck Ground handling helicopter	Delegates will be assessed against the learning outcomes using direct observation and oral and written questions as appropriate. Debriefs must be conducted with participating delegates on the completion of practical exercises. Practical demonstration of competence during non-emergency drills of helicopter passenger transfer to/from yacht. Practical demonstration of competence in helicopter ground handling and securing to deck.	The timing and sequence of individual’s actions are appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions and minimize potential risks to helicopter, yacht and all personnel. Takes appropriate actions in response to aircraft commander and HLO.
Respond correctly to non-fire related helicopter emergencies	Types of emergencies Hazards associated with a crashed helicopter Techniques for shutting down a helicopter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Casualty extraction Un-ignited fuel spills	Delegates will be assessed against the learning outcomes using direct observation and oral and written questions as appropriate. Debriefs must be conducted with participating delegates on the completion of practical exercises. Practical demonstration of competence during non-fire related emergency drills. Practical demonstration of passenger evacuation. Practical demonstration of triage and extraction of injured passenger.	Initial actions taken on becoming aware of emergency conform to an established emergency response procedure. Takes appropriate actions in response to HLO direction. Communications are clear and effective. Risk of further harm to self and passengers/casualties is minimized at all times.<

2.3 Competence evaluation guidance

Work safely in the vicinity of helicopters on a yacht helideck

In achieving this element, the candidate will be able to:

• Identify helicopter and helideck hazards.
• Describe safe approach routes to/from helicopter.
• Take correct actions and follow instructions in high noise environment.

Conduct standard helicopter arrival and departure procedures

In achieving this element, the candidate will be able to:

• State the requirements for arrival and departure procedures.
• Be aware of the danger of foreign object debris.
• Perform duties during standard arrival/departure procedures including passenger/crew handling, cargo/baggage handling, securing of helicopter on deck, handling helicopter on ground.

Respond correctly to non-fire related helicopter emergencies:

In achieving this element, the candidate will be able to:

• Identify various types of non-fire related emergencies.
• Be aware of hazards associated with a crashed helicopter.
• Respond to HLO directions in shutting down a helicopter including dealing with un-ignited fuel spills.
• Demonstrate passenger evacuation and casualty extraction.
• Communicate in clear and effective manner.
• Be aware of minimising risks to self and passengers.

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1. https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/learning/training-and-development/7300-introduction-to-trainer-skills#tab=information ↩

2. Examples of qualifications that can be used instead of obtaining a train the trainer course are detailed in MIN 643, section 14, or subsequent publication. ↩

3. This is where a course can be delivered at any site that meets the requirements of the facilities and equipment specifications detailed in MSN 1865 – Amendment 1, Annex F, section 4.3, or subsequent publication. Peripatetic delivery of courses is normally only available for theory-based courses. A list of courses the MCA considers able to be delivered peripatetically is contained in MIN 643. ↩