Guidelines for Health and Safety on Board Small Fishing Boats

Operating over fishing vessels presents a number of problems for the helicopter pilot. Rescue operations are often conducted in poor weather are extremely dangerous.

Precautions to be aware of when requiring a transfer to helicopter are:

• Select the position where the transfer is to take place. i.e. the position from where an injured person is to be winched up from. This may not necessarily be the largest deck area but will be the best location regarding the proximity of high obstructions (i.e. masts, gantries, derricks etc).
• Clear the deck of any lose bit of debris or equipment that may be sucked up into the helicopters engine.
• On the sighting of the helicopter set off a smoke flare to highlight your location and indicate the wind direction to him.
• The crew on deck should be dressed as brightly as possible. They should wear safety goggles.
• Deck crew should stay out of the way until the helicopter is in position.
• Maintain radio communication with helicopter.
• Never attach anything to the helicopter before the pilot gives his approval to do so.
• Remember the pilot may not be able to see the load. So he may need some guidance.
• If the rescue is to be done at night the pilot will be accustomed to the darkness. Avoid turning on very bright lighting.
• Know the signals to communicate with the helicopter from the deck.