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RightShip Guide

THE DEEPDRAFT · RIGHTSHIP PREPARATION

Helicopter operating area and access

RISQ 4.39Section 4 · ISM SystemSource marking: V

Applicability: Vessels with a helicopter operating area. Winch-only areas have the stated strength-letter exemption.

What is being checked

Helicopter-area strength, access and obstacle controls are supported.

Ready on board

0 / 8 checked

Check the vessel’s actual procedures, equipment and records against these points from RISQ 3.2.

Identify whether the area is for landing or winching only; keep applicable structural load/strength evidence available.For a landing area, assemble the strength documents described in the PDF: structural drawings showing maximum design landing load, designer/shipyard/hatch-maker or Flag confirmation, or Class confirmation where the first two are absent. Review the conflicting Class-letter finding wording noted below.Have the applicable helicopter-facility firefighting equipment and area arrangements under the cited ICS Guide, Edition 5.Provide safe hatch-cover-to-deck access. The PDF describes a fixed-height inclined ladder, fixed handrails, non-slip steps/platform and front platform supporting two people (150 kg); document design/space constraints if this is not possible.Provide two access/egress routes where possible, allowing escape upwind.Identify/mark obstacles and control over-height handrails by retraction/collapse/removal before arrival, with contrasting colours and a procedure.Apply the source’s obstacle markings: red/white for objects over 2.5 cm in the clear zone and over 25 cm outside it but inside the manoeuvring zone; yellow for other objects to be drawn to the pilot’s attention.Have the relevant strength evidence ready for inspector attachment and 360-degree area/access photographs where practicable.

Practice questions

Preparation prompts derived from this entry, not an official inspector interview script.

1Does a “Winch Only” area require a strength confirmation letter under this question?

No. The PDF expressly exempts a Winch Only area from that letter requirement.

2Is lack of space for an inclined access ladder automatically a No?

No. The PDF directs Yes with explanatory comments where vessel design, fittings or deck space make the inclined arrangement impracticable; safe access is still the subject of the question.

Where a finding may arise

The opening guidance calls for a finding if a Class strength letter is absent, but its later paragraph accepts specified alternative strength documents. Treat that conflict as unresolved by this PDF, not as a reason to invent a stricter rule. Winch-only areas have the stated letter exemption.

Past observations for practice

Anonymised reports, manually reviewed before publication. These are reported experiences, not additional inspection requirements.

No reviewed observations have been added for this entry.

Share an observation for private review

Remove vessel, company and inspector names, report numbers, exact dates and confidential information. Do not paste a complete inspection report.

Source clarification

Internal source conflicts: 4.39 first requests a Class letter, then lists design-load drawings and designer/Flag letters before Class as a fallback. It also says attach evidence under “Question 4.37”, although the current helicopter-area question is 4.39. Evidence is mapped to 4.39 here and both discrepancies are disclosed. Seek clarification of the source before declaring the alternative evidence unacceptable.

References and source status

RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire, November 2025, version 3.2. Section 4, page 67–68, reference 4.39.

The explanation, checklist and practice answer derive from the supplied questionnaire. Reported observations are separately contributed and manually reviewed; they are not official RISQ guidance.

Independent DeepDraft preparation guide, based on the supplied RISQ 3.2 questionnaire. Not an official RightShip product or inspection report.