24.2 Helicopters

  24.2.1 When provision is made for helicopter operations to or from the vessel, the helicopter landing area should be located on an appropriate area of the weather or superstructure deck, or on a purpose built landing area permanently attached to the vessel or structure, providing;

• .1 the structural strength of the helicopter landing area is designed and constructed according to Classification Society rules on helicopter landing areas for vessels and a Certificate of Compliance is issued by the relevant Classification Society;

• .2 all other considerations such as landing area size, means of access, obstacle protected surfaces (sector clearance zones), lighting, and marking should be in accordance with Annex 6 of this Code with a Helicopter Landing Area Certificate issued by the Aviation Inspection Body;

• .3 the requirements for helicopter facilities in SOLAS II-2 are complied with in full. Fire suits provided for helideck crew should be of EN 469 standard;

• .4 helicopter operations to/from the vessel are restricted to within the weather, pitch, roll, and heave limits for the vessel as defined where appropriate in the relevant operating rules, and/or in the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) and/or by the Aviation Inspection Body;

• .5 the helicopter landing area is designed for the largest helicopter which it is intended to use; and

• .6 the operational procedures for the vessel fully reflect the above.

  24.2.2 If it is proposed to provide hangar and/or refuelling facilities for a helicopter whilst it is on board the vessel, prior approval should be sought from the Administration. Such facilities should be arranged in accordance with Annex 6 Section 7 and/or 8 of this Code.

  24.2.3 In order to meet the full safe landing area size requirement in Annex 6 of this Code, the out-board edges of the landing area may be engineered to retract or fold to a closed position when the landing area is not in use providing the overall safe landing area, including the retractable or movable sides, when fully deployed, provides the minimum load bearing area specified.

  24.2.3.1 The minimum safe landing area dynamic load bearing capability should be 2.5 times the Maximum Take-Off Mass (MTOM) of the heaviest helicopter intended to use the landing area. This may only be reduced, subject to agreement from both the Classification Society and Administration.

  24.2.4 The officer(s) in charge of each helicopter landing area operations team should be in possession of an Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO) Approved Offshore Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) certificate. All other crew assigned duties within the helicopter landing area operations team(s) should be in possession of an OPITO Approved Offshore Emergency Helideck Team Member certificate. Certification from an equivalent course approved by the Administration will also be accepted. All helicopter operations certification should be in date.

  24.2.5 All crew on board should undergo familiarisation training regarding helicopter operations on board and it is recommended that all crew undertake helicopter crash survivability (“dunker”) training at a recognised OPITO training centre, prior to commencement of duties.

  24.2.6 Ship to shore and ship to helicopter communications procedures, ship operating procedures, and guidance on helicopter emergencies are outlined in the ‘Large Yacht Helicopter Operations Handbook’ and ‘Large Yacht Helicopter Refuelling Handbook’ published by the MCA, these should be used as part of the operational procedures of the vessel, and equipment carried should permit crew to comply with the onboard procedures.

  24.2.7 Refuelling of the helicopter while engines and rotors are running is prohibited.