Yacht helideck certification: Expert tips

• Dave Rae
• Managing director at Helideck Certification Agency (HCA)

Do I need to have my helideck certified?

If a yacht is planning to transport charter guests and/or use a commercially chartered helicopter, then the helideck must be certified for commercial air transport. The certificate is proof that the helideck complies with the ruling aviation regulations: SOLAS requirements for passenger ships less than 36 Passengers (Chapter II-2, Reg. 18, part G); LY3 MSN 1792 (M) Latest Edition or REG YC and best industry practice.

What is the certification process?

An inspector will visit the yacht and conduct an audit which covers three main areas:

1. The physical structure of the landing area and its obstacle environment.
2. The support equipment.
3. The training and competence of the crew employed in helideck operations (including the operating procedures).

Some of the detail covered by an inspection includes:

• Evidence that the deck stress value (‘t’ marking) is still correct for the helideck
• Firefighting equipment—latest foam test certificate
• Crew training qualifications, including dangerous goods, for the helideck crew
• Evidence of how the helideck crew is assessed as being competent
• Evidence of how the meteorological reporting systems have been checked
• Evidence of how the baggage scales are checked

The on-site inspection can normally be completed in one day, though the gathering of all relevant information and closing out of action may take longer. This will depend on how prepared the yacht crew is for the audit.

On successful completion of the audit, a Helicopter Landing Area Certificate is issued, noting any limitations that may apply, and displaying the size (D value) and weight (T value) of helicopters that can be accommodated. The certificate is valid for 12 months.

Who should you use for an inspection?

It is important to use an organisation that has been approved to inspect helicopter landing areas by the flag state under which the yacht operates. Such companies are classed as Aviation Inspection Bodies (AIB) and they are authorised to undertake the verification process that includes inspection, certification and, where necessary, the application of appropriate operational limitations.

About this expert

Dave Rae is the managing director at Helideck Certification Agency (HCA), a leading provider of helideck inspection and certification services to the yachting industry. It has been operating for over 30 years and has more than 100 superyacht clients. HCA is a recognised Aviation Inspection Body (AIB) to the Red Ensign Group of shipping registers that includes Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and the UK. It is also an AIB to the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

In addition to inspection and certification, HCA offers design consultancy on helidecks for new builds or refit. It also offers its own online Dangerous Goods by Air Awareness eLearning training course that is a prerequisite for all yacht crew employed in helicopter operations.