MARINE

NOTICE
Marine Notice 16/2010
Supersedes 6/2010

Helicopter Operations

Purpose particular port in Australia to which the ship may

call. Ships agents may be able to assist by liaising
The purpose of this Marine Notice is to provide with relevant port authorities. It is advisable that this
advice to ship owners, operators and masters, information be obtained well in advance of arrival
shipping agents, port authorities, pilotage providers, at an Australian port because many ports transfer
classification societies and helicopter operators their marine pilots using helicopters.
about Issue 3 of Marine Orders - Part 57: Helicopter
Operations (MO 57) which came into effect on Issue 3 of MO 57 contains several changes, some of
1 August 2010. which require action by Australian and foreign flagged
ships intending to conduct helicopter operations
Background (including marine pilot transfers using a helicopter)
within Australian waters. These changes are:
Ship-helicopter operations are becoming
increasingly commonplace. In response AMSA the withdrawal of the Australian Code of Safe
has revised MO 57 to ensure that these operations Practice for Ship Helicopter Operations;
in Australian waters continue to be conducted the introduction of the ICS Guide to Helicopter/
with very high standards of safety and operational Ship Operations, 4th Edition (2008) and the
awareness. AMSA has accepted as an example requirement that the master of a ship must
of best practice the International Chamber ensure that safe arrangements are at least as
of Shippings (ICS) Guide to Ship Helicopter effective as those specified in the ICS Guide;
Operations, 4th Edition as it is the most up-to-date
guide promoting standardised procedures for ship- the addition of a requirement to demonstrate that
helicopter operations worldwide. a ships arrangements, equipment, crew training
and drills for helicopter operations are included
Marine Orders Part 57 Issue 3 in the safety management system onboard and
that the master has provided instructions to the
Ships intending to conduct any kind of helicopter
crew;
operation, including winching, landing and marine
pilot transfers, in Australian waters are required the addition of a requirement for documentary
to comply with MO 57. The owner or master of evidence to be carried onboard regarding the
those ships must provide onboard arrangements, deck strength of any intended helicopter landing
equipment, training and drills which are at least area;
as effective as those specified in the ICS Guide a n i n c r e a s e d e m p h a s i s o n d e t a i l e d
to Ship Helicopter Operations, 4th Edition. A copy communication between the ship and helicopter
of MO 57 is available from AMSAs website at: operator/pilot regarding the location and size of
www.amsa.gov.au/shipping_safety/marine_orders/ any obstacles in the intended helicopter landing/
Marine_Orders_currently_in_force.asp operating area; and
The owner or master of a ship may need to obtain the inclusion of a provision for the conduct
specific advice about the type(s) of helicopter of emergency operations such as medical
used and associated helicopter operations in a evacuations.

Internet address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au Page 1 of 2

 MARINE NOTICE 16/2010

Safety Management System onboard. This information must include the

maximum weight (tonnes) that can be landed
Ships that conduct helicopter operations must have on the nominated helicopter landing area. This
within their safety management systems all relevant information may be provided by:
helicopter operation procedures, emergency
(a) the classification society that conducts the
procedures, drills, training and equipment lists for
ships surveys;
conducting these operations.
(b) shipbuilder; or
Communication
(c) a competent authority.
Effective communication between ship and
Further Information
helicopter in preparation for and during helicopter
operations is essential to ensure safety.
For further information contact AMSA:
Communication supporting preparation for a
email: [email protected]
helicopter transfer may involve messages passed
between the ship operator, the ships agent and The International Chamber of Shippings Guide to
the helicopter operator. Communication during Helicopter/Ship Operations, 4th Edition (2008) is
helicopter operations will generally be between published by:
the helicopter and the ship.
Marisec Publications
Before a helicopter operation is agreed it is essential 12 Carthusian Street
that the ships master possibly with assistance London EC1M 6EZ
from others, such as ships agents, ensure that Tel: +44 20 7417 8844
all necessary information concerning a ships Fax: +44 20 7417 8877
helicopter facilities are provided to the helicopter Email: [email protected]
operator and that this is acknowledged. Website: www.marisec.org

Helicopter operators must ensure they communicate

all important helicopter specific information such
as helicopter weight, landing gear type and rotor
diameter to the ship and the master should reply
with formal acknowledgment. Mick Kinley
A/g Chief Executive Officer
Strength of Helicopter Landing Area
29 October 2010
It is a fundamental safety requirement that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
intended helicopter landing area is physically GPO Box 2181
capable of withstanding the forces of a helicopter
CANBERRA ACT 2601
landing on it. MO 57 requires that documentary
evidence regarding deck strength be available File No: 016992-02

Internet address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au Page 2 of 2