Rightship reported that it has recently seen an alarming increase in the number of High Potential (HiPo) Near Miss reports regarding poor preparation of helicopter landing areas. The majority of the cases have involved loose items of equipment, in particular slack fire hoses.
Specifically, loose items of equipment and slack fire hoses will move in an unpredictable manner when exposed to helicopter down-wash. This seriously affects safe helicopter operations by introducing a very high risk of impact with the helicopter.
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According to Rightship, clear non-compliance with the ICS Guide to Helicopter / Ship Operations and a failure to perform a Tool-Box Talk are the main causes, as well as a failure to fully identify, appreciate and risk assess the associated hazards.
In order to prevent such case, operators are advised to fully implement ‘Pre-arrival Checks on the Ship’ as documented in ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations. In particular:
- All loose objects within and adjacent to the operating area must be secured or removed;
- Fire Pumps should be running and providing sufficient water pressure on deck;
- Fire hoses and foam equipment should be ready, near to but clear of the operating area, and if possible upwind and with nozzles pointing away from the area in case of inadvertent discharge.
Moreover, operators are also called to follow Terminal/Port specific requirements and checklists, while all helicopter operations should be treated as Safety Critical with appropriate Planning, Risk Assessment and Toolbox Talk conducted.
In addition, regular training and review of helicopter procedures on-board is necessary, as well as revisions to SMS & Checklists to ensure the above lessons are learned.
This circular is part of a lessons learned initiative by Rightship, which provides best practice and actions designed to reduce the risk involved in a vessel’s operations.
Helicopter operations are commonly used on ships for crew changes, Pilot transfer (embarkation and disembarkation), emergency situations as MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) and/or rescue. They are considered to be complicated high risk operations, as they involve personnel / equipment and crafts other than vessel’s and they demand accuracy, training and clearly established procedures. The officers and crew members associated on scene for these operations should show high level of situational awareness and good seamanship.
