Helicopter Load/Unload Operation Safety on Offshore Platform

Abstract On offshore oil/gas platforms that have no crane equipment, when a slick-line and/or an electrical wire-line job is required, helicopter load/unload operation is a common method for transporting materials such as winch units, power pack units, BOP units, lubricators, etc., from platform or offshore complex to the platform. A series of materials are separately transported by helicopter so that one lifted material can be within the helicopter maximum loading capacity. A package of transportation typically consists of 4-5 load/unload operations for a whole set of materials. Those frequent load/unload operations are done with a hovering action that has the highest risk among a series of helicopter actions (i.e. taking-off, cruising, and approach/landing). To achieve safety, all risk-mitigating factors are adequately incorporated into a plan that should be shared with all crews (pilot, company supervisor, slick-line/wire-line operators) in advance of the operation. In addition to summarizing general safety tips, this paper discusses mitigations from various point of views. As a result of considering ground crew's psychological response based on actual field experience, this paper recommends how to remove these mental factors that silently act on a helicopter marshaller's action. Moreover, fundamental measures are recommended to update marshalling methods and to use new generation helicopters that are designed for improved safety requirements.