Guidance

Section 3 - Large Yacht Helicopter Landing Officer Training

Published 11 March 2024

1. Specification of Large Yacht Helicopter Landing Officer Training

1.1 Introduction

The correct performance of standard procedures and a swift 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. The Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) is the primary link between the yacht and the helicopter and is in overall charge of the helideck during flight operations.

Specific training shall be provided to the HLO by an appropriate training provider. 

1.2 Aim

On completion of the training, the trainees will have a good understanding of the organisational requirements for the operation of helicopters from large yacht helidecks.

1.3 Objectives

Trainees will be able to:

• Assist the aircraft commander in completing paperwork requirements prior to flying operations.
• Supervise a helideck team during flying operations.
• Act as Helideck Team Leader during emergency situations.
• Organise and conduct onboard helicopter drills to maintain helideck team training currency.

1.4 Entry Standards

Prior to attending this module, trainees must have completed the following:

• Advanced Fire Fighting (The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code – Table A-VI/3).
• Helideck Assistant (HDA) qualified - Large Yacht Helicopter Procedures and Emergency Response and Large Yacht Helideck Fire Fighting Courses completed.

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 3 or as per the yacht’s Helideck Landing Areas Operations Manual, whichever is greater. Practical elements should allow the trainee to lead a team of 3 personnel. These additional 2 personnel may be either trainees on the Large Yacht Helicopter Procedures and Emergency Response module or already qualified helicopter yacht crew.

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 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,
• Have an understanding of the particular problems of helicopter operations on large yachts.

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 B 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 and, if required, how continuous practical assessment is achieved;
• 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 2]}, 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 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 Marine Office without delay.

2. Guidance on conduct and structure of Large Yacht Helicopter Landing Officer Response training

Practical training is best completed with the trainee leading a helideck team of 2 Helideck Assistants.

This module may be delivered concurrently with other modules, with the trainee performing the HLO role. In this case, it is important that the HLO trainees still demonstrate the competences required for each module.

2.1 Principles and Procedures Session

Classroom instruction on principles and procedures in the performance of HLO duties.

1. Helideck Organisation

1. Roles and responsibilities of HLO
2. Authority of Master and helicopter pilot

2. Pre-arrival/departure procedures

1. Heads of department briefing Flight information gathering
   1. Weather and environmental information
   2. Yacht position
   3. Radio frequencies
2. Passenger manifests
3. Threats and hazards
4. Helideck team pre-work briefing
5. Helideck preparation procedures

3. HLO role during flight operations

1. Importance of leadership
2. Commanding the helideck area
3. Control over personnel/passenger movements
4. Liaison with aircrew when helicopter on deck
5. Communications
   1. Transfer of flight Watch
   2. Radios
   3. Mandatory signals
   4. ‘Go around’ situations
6. Visual checks of helicopter prior to flight
7. Visual checks of helicopter on approach
8. Visual  check of helideck and surrounding airspace prior to helicopter arrival/departure
9. Co-ordination of HDAs and other personnel during emergency response

4. Training and currency

1. Other requirements to act as HLO – Dangerous goods by Air Awareness course, recognised radio course (e.g. ROCC/GMDSS or equivalent suitable for area of operation).
2. Training requirements for helideck team
3. Organising realistic helideck drills for continuous training

5. Accident follow-up procedures

1. Post incident management
2. Evidence gathering and reporting accident to authorities

2.2 Practical Session

The practical session is best achieved with the HLO commanding 2 HDAs during the exercises. If more than 1 HLO trainee is present then the HLO role should be performed on a rotational basis.

2.3 Table B - Specification of Minimum Standard of Competence for Large Yacht Helicopter Landing Officer

COLUMN 1	COLUMN 2	COLUMN 3	COLUMN 4
Competences	Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency	Methods for Demonstrating Competence	Criteria for Evaluating Competence
Preparing for flying operations	Pre-flying operations documentation Structured yacht/aircrew briefing Structured briefing/debriefing of helideck team Co-ordinate preparation of helideck and surrounding areas	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.	Clear and accurate briefings prior to flight serial Complete helideck preparation in accordance with procedures
HLO duties during standards and emergency procedures	Role of HLO Leadership of helideck team Communication: Helideck to Bridge Helideck to helicopter Helideck team Standard procedures Emergency procedures	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. Practical demonstration of competence during emergency drills. Practical demonstration of passenger	The timing and sequence of individual’s actions are appropriate to the prevailing circumstance and conditions and minimize potential risks to helicopter, yacht and all personnel. Initial actions on becoming aware of emergency conform to an established emergency response procedure. Communications are clear and effective. Risk of further harm to self, helideck team and passengers/casualties
Management of helideck facilities and personnel	Responsibilities of Master, helicopter commander, HLO and HDA Training requirements System testing requirements and procedures Post-accident procedures Continuous training planning for helideck team	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.	Short written assessment covering the points in column 2. Pass mark 75%

2.4 Competence evaluation guidance

Preparing for flying operations

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

• Demonstrate the use of pre-flying operations documentation;
• Provide structured briefing to yacht/aircrew and helideck team;
• Complete helideck preparations in accordance with procedures.

HLO duties during standards and emergency procedures

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

• Direct the team and take actions appropriate to the prevailing conditions;
• Describe the factors to be considered in minimising potential operations risks to helicopter, yacht and all personnel;
• Communicate clearly and effectively with team, helicopter and bridge;
• Explain standard procedures;
• Take initial actions on becoming aware of an emergency;
• Follow an established emergency response procedure.

Management of helideck facilities and personnel

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

• Be aware of the responsibilities of the master and helicopter commander;
• Explain the responsibilities of HLO and HDA;
• Describe training requirements;
• Explain system testing requirement and procedures;
• Explain post-accident procedures;
• Describe training plans for helideck team.

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

2. 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. ↩