449-Helicopter Winching/Hoisting Operations Procedure / 748
H
elico
p
ter
W
inc
h
in
g/H
oistin
g Op
erations
BOS-PRD-07.900611
If the rescue boat launching site is exposed to possible damage during the hoisting operation, it may be
preferable to launch the craft prior to the operation.
4
.1.
3 P
re
p
aration o
f
s
h
i
pb
oar
d p
ersonnel
b
e
f
ore
h
elico
p
ter arri
v
es:
A job preparation with a
toolbox talk (
TBT) with shipboard personnel must be held before the hoisting
operation.
Points to be covered include a reminder about all the points mentioned in the specific JSA to helicopter
hoisting operations with particular emphasis on high noise levels that make voice communication almost
impossible, hazards associated with rotor downwash, need for vigilance when the helicopter is hovering over
the deck, and high risk of falling on the deck made slippery by ocean spray.
Bos
u
n
and
ABs
must not walk close to the helicopter rotors without express instructions from the
Ch
ie
f
O
ff
icer
. Special focus
should
be given to the procedure for approaching the helicopter and using the static
grounding rod (keeping hands below the red line).
For reference purposes, the following table indicates the speeds of rotor downwash beneath four different
helicopter models at various hovering heights.
Hovering Height
Helicopter Model
3 meters 7 meters 10 meters 15 meters 20 meters
Alouette III
30 knots
27 knots
25 knots
20 knots
15 knots
Lynx
45 knots
40 knots
35 knots
30 knots
25 knots
Super-Frelon
55 knots
50 knots
45 knots
45 knots
35 knots
Panther / Dauphin
30 knots
28 knots
25 knots
20 knots
15 knots
4
.1.
4 H
oistin
g
4.1.4.1 Generalities
Helicopter hoisting operations involving shipboard personnel may be performed using two methods:
- single-person lift with emergency rescue sling attached directly to the lifting hook.
- tandem lift with emergency rescue sling attached to a harness worn by a helicopter crewman (e.g. rescue
swimmer).
The tandem lift method is generally used if evacuee (casualty) requires assistance (stress, shock, trauma,
child, etc.).
4.1.4.2 Instructions regarding the evacuee (patient)
1) The evacuee must not carry any luggage (bag, case, or container).
2) The evacuee must wear a lifejacket, safety helmet, and (depending on water temperature) immersion suit.
3) If possible, the evacuee should attend the
TBT
conducted by the
Ch
ie
f
O
ff
icer
and receive safety
instructions concerning the lifejacket and hoisting procedure.
4) Important checks before hoisting:
- Proper fitting of rescue sling under armpits of evacuee before attachment to lifting hook.
- Manual lifejacket inflator accessible for immediate use.
- Proper positioning of handle used to pull evacuee into the helicopter (located on back of lifting sling).
- Ring sling pulled tight with no kinks.
- Hands of evacuee in proper position.
4.1.4.3 Steps for lifting to helicopter
1) When instructed to do so, the two
ABs
take position beneath the helicopter.
2) Person tasked with tending the hoist cable uses static discharge rod to discharge static electricity (keeping
hands below the red line).
3) Person tasked with tending the evacuee leads him/her to hoisting zone and positions him/her directly
under the winch.
Version 01. Original date: 08/08/2014. Version date: N/A. Valid version only on QMS site. Uncontrolled document when printed
Procedure prepared by: BOS Ops Dpt Project Coordinator. Approved by: BOS Operations Department Director. Validated by: BOS Quality Representative.
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