EXPLANATORY NOTES
Marine Orders, Part 57
Helicopter operations (formerly Part 18)
Issue 3
Order No 3 of 2010
Purpose
- Marine Orders Part 57 – Helicopter Operations provides for a safe system of operations for transfer of persons or goods by helicopter to or from ships.
2. The Marine Orders specify a code of practice for transfer between ship and helicopter taking into account the requirements specific to the latest edition of the International Chamber of Shipping Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations (the ‘ICS Guide’).
Power
3. Section 425(1) of the Navigation Act 1912 (the Act) empowers the Governor-General to make regulations necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
4. Section 425 (1AA) of the Act allows the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (the Authority) to make orders with respect to matters in Part IV of the Act in relation to which provision may be made by regulations.
5. Marine Orders, Part 57, Issue 3, was made pursuant to Section 425(1AA).
Overview
6. Marine Orders Part 57, Issue 3 provides guidance for the connection and transfer operations by helicopter in relation to:
- the protection of the health and the security from injury of persons engaged in the loading and unloading of ships; and
- the safety of persons transferring to or from a ship by helicopter and the safety of persons on board ships conducting helicopter operations.
7. Part 57 requires an owner of a ship to provide equipment, training of the ship’s crew, instructions and such arrangements as are necessary for the safe transfer of persons and goods between a helicopter and a ship.
8. Part 57 prescribes the responsibility of the Master of a ship in relation to equipment, training and drill.
9. The opportunity has also been taken to update the Order in line with current drafting practices by updating definitions and formatting.
Consultation
10. A copy of the draft of Part 57, Issue 3 was circulated to relevant AMSA Managers, Australian Shipowners Association, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Ports Australia, Pilotage Providers, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Maritime Safety Queensland, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, AMSA Recognised organisations and Shipping Australian Limited. A copy of the draft was also placed on the AMSA website for public comment.
Contents of the Order
11. Provision 1 indicates both the purpose of this Marine Order and the power to make this Marine Order, pursuant to the Navigation Act.
12. Provision 2 provides definitions of words and phrases used in the Marine Order.
13. Provision 3 provides an interpretation of words and phrases necessary for a proper understanding of this Marine Order.
14. Provision 4 specifies the ships to which the Marine Order applies.
15. Provision 5.1 specifies the requirements for safe arrangements to be made by a Master before allowing the transfer of person or goods between a helicopter and the ship. This is a penal provision. Provision 5 provides for the safety arrangements to be implemented on a ship and specifies the responsibilities of the master in the safe transfer of persons and goods by helicopter or from ships. Compliance with Provision 5 may be achieved by adopting practices which conform with those safety practice guidelines set out in the ICS Guide. Provision 5 has also been amended to require the master of a ship to provide, ‘such relevant information held on the ship relating to the ability of the designated landing surface to withstand the static and dynamic loads imposed by a helicopter.’ (see Provision 5.2.2 and 5.2.3.) This information must now be provided to a pilot, surveyor or any other person with an interest in the safe operation of the helicopter on the ship, upon request.
16. Provision 5.2.1 specifies the use of the recommended dimensions and obstacle free zones, as set out in the ICS Guide, to be used when determining the location and size of a helicopter landing area.
17. Provision 5.2.2 requires that the operator of a ship must ensure that information about the ability of any deck surface of the vessel to withstand a helicopter landing is available on the ship.
18. Provision 5.2.3 states that a Master must provide the information in 5.2.2 when requested.
19. Provision 5.2.4 requires that a Master must not authorise a helicopter to land on a ship where the deck surfaces of the ship is not capable of withstanding the loads imposed by the helicopter.
20. Provision 5.3 requires a Master to communicate to a helicopter operator or pilot any information relevant to the safe conduct of ship/helicopter operations.
21. Provision 5.4 specifies that every crew member of a ship must carry out instructions of the owner or master in relation to a ship’s safety management system and to take actions to ensure that helicopter transfers are carried out safely. This is a penal provision.
Documents incorporated by reference
22. Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations 4th Edition (2008), published by Marisec Publications, London on behalf of the International Chamber of Shipping. This publication may be purchased from:
Marisec Publications
12 Carthusian Street
London EClM 6EZ
Tel: +44 20 7417 2855
Fax: +44 20 7417 8877
publications@marisec.org
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
April 2010