AIM 

4/20/23 

(b) 

It is recommended that when helicopters are approaching,  maneuvering, taking off, or running on 

the heliport, cranes be shutdown and the operator leave the cab. Cranes not in use must have their booms cradled, 

if feasible. If in use, the crane’s boom(s) are to be pointed away from the heliport and the crane shutdown for 

helicopter operations. 

(c) 

Pilots will not approach, land on, takeoff, or have rotor blades turning on heliports of structures not 

complying with the above practice. 

(d) 

It is recommended that cranes on offshore platforms, rigs, vessels, or any other facility, which could 

interfere with helicopter operations (including approach/departure paths): 

(1) 

Be equipped with a red rotating beacon or red high intensity strobe light connected to the system 

powering the crane, indicating the crane is under power; 

(2) 

Be designed to allow the operator a maximum view of the helideck area and should be equipped 

with wide

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angle mirrors to eliminate blind spots; and 

(3) 

Have their boom tips, headache balls, and hooks painted with high visibility international orange. 

d.  Helicopter/Tanker Operations 

1.  Background. 

The interface of helicopters and tankers during shipboard helicopter operations is 

complex and may be hazardous unless appropriate procedures are coordinated among all parties. The following 

recommended practices are designed to minimize risks during helicopter/tanker operations: 

2.  Recommended Practices 

(a) 

Management, flight operations personnel, and pilots should be familiar with and apply the operating 

safety standards set forth in “Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations”, International Chamber of Shipping, Third 

Edition, 5

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89 (as amended), establishing operational guidelines/standards and safe practices sufficient to 

safeguard helicopter/tanker operations. 

(b) 

Appropriate plans, approvals, and communications must be accomplished prior to reaching the 

vessel, allowing tanker crews sufficient time to perform required safety preparations and position  crew members 

to receive or dispatch a helicopter safely. 

(c) 

Appropriate approvals and direct communications with the bridge of the tanker must be maintained 

throughout all helicopter/tanker operations. 

(d) 

Helicopter/tanker operations, including landings/departures, must not be conducted until the 

helicopter pilot

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in

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command has received and acknowledged permission from the bridge of the tanker. 

(e) 

Helicopter/tanker operations must not be conducted during product/cargo transfer. 

(f) 

Generally, permission will not be granted to land on tankers during mooring operations or while 

maneuvering alongside another tanker. 

e.  Helideck/Heliport Operational Hazard Warning(s) Procedures 

1.  Background 

(a) 

A number of operational hazards can develop on or near offshore helidecks or onshore heliports that 

can be minimized through procedures for proper notification or visual warning to pilots. Examples of hazards 

include but are not limited to: 

(1) 

Perforating operations: subparagraph f. 

(2) 

H

2

S gas presence: subparagraph g. 

(3) 

Gas venting: subparagraph h; or, 

(4) 

Closed helidecks or heliports: subparagraph i (unspecified cause). 

(b) 

These and other operational hazards are currently minimized through timely dissemination of a 

written Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) for pilots by helicopter companies and operators. A NOTAM provides 

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2

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Special Operations