Helicopter operations
What is being checked
The inspector is checking whether planning, equipment condition, competent supervision and real-time monitoring provide safe helicopter winching or landing operations under the vessel's actual freeboard, weather, movement and terminal conditions.
Ready onboard
0/6 completePractice questions
Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.
1Who authorises and supervises helicopter winching or landing operations?
Identify the responsible officer and the competent operator or attendant, including who monitors changing conditions.
2What are the stop criteria?
Use defined limits for role allocation, communications, fire and rescue, static electricity, loose objects, cargo or bunker status, wind, visibility, night operations and emergency break-off, equipment defect, lost communication and unsafe movement.
3Show the pre-use inspection.
Physically verify helicopter operations plan, deck markings, fire equipment, rescue equipment, PPE, lighting and communications and reconcile the check with helicopter checklist, drill, equipment checks and operator or aviation instructions.
4How will a person be recovered after a fall or equipment failure?
Explain the immediate alarm, fall protection or flotation, retrieval method, medical response and alternative access.
5What changed since the last use?
Check rigging, certification, repairs, berth geometry, weather and vessel condition rather than copying the previous assessment.
Where an observation may arise
The assessment did not address role allocation, communications, fire and rescue, static electricity, loose objects, cargo or bunker status, wind, visibility, night operations and emergency break-off.
Inspection identified loose objects, poor fire readiness, unauthorised transmissions, incorrect lighting, unsafe simultaneous operations or crew unfamiliarity.
The arrangement lacked a responsible officer, competent attendant or continuous monitoring.
Operation continued beyond a weather, movement, angle, freeboard or maker limit.
No effective recovery method was immediately available.
Physical condition or configuration did not agree with helicopter checklist, drill, equipment checks and operator or aviation instructions.
Master's practical note
Assess the arrangement as a moving system, not a static appliance. Vessel movement, changing tide and the interface with shore usually determine whether a compliant arrangement remains safe.
Equipment boundary and references
Equipment boundary: Follow SOLAS, flag, port, terminal and maker requirements. Stop the operation if a safe arrangement cannot be maintained, even if commercial delay results.
References
- OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 5.10.5
- ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations
- SOLAS Chapter II-2
Last reviewed: 2026-09-13