Bourbon - Offshore - Surf - SMS manual 2015

451-Helicopter Winching/Hoisting Operations Procedure / 748

Helicop ter Winching/Hoisting Operations
BOS-PRD-07.900611
6) Remember that the evacuee is probably anxious about being raised or lowered by the helicopter.
7) Personnel must remain constantly aware of the dangers associated with vessel movement.
4.1.5 S tretc her hoisting
4.1.5.1 Personnel
For stretcher hoisting, the composition of the helicopter hoisting team is generally the same as described
above with the addition of a physician and/or medical team.
4.1.5.2 Equipment
One stretcher suitable for helicopter hoisting with compatible bridle and a tag-line at least 30 meters long
attached to the stretcher by a weak link set to break at 150 kg of pressure. The free end of the tag-line
should be weighted with a 3 kg weight.
4.1.5.3 Steps for lowering stretcher
1) The Chief Officer guides the helicopter into position directly over the hoisting zone.
2) The helicopter crew manually pays out the weighted end of the tag-line to the helideck or
designated hoisting zone.
3) When instructed to do so by the Chief Officer, the deck team tasked with tending the stretcher
takes position beneath the helicopter, seizes the tag-line and arranges it at a safe distance from the
work area. The tag-line is a potential hazard should the helicopter be forced to make an emergency
exit.
4) After the tag-line has been fully paid out to the deck, the Helicopter Winch Op erator can lower the
stretcher. As the stretcher is lowered, the deck team tasked with tending the stretcher should keep
constant tension on the tag-line to prevent the stretcher from spinning/swinging and maintain it in
the horizontal position.
5) When stretcher reaches the deck, the deck team in charge of the static discharge rod should
ground the hoist cable then leave the hoisting zone. The deck tasked with tending the stretcher can
then seize the stretcher and guide it down to the deck.
6) When stretcher is on the deck, the helicopter usually returns to a position directly over the hoisting
area, thus creating slack in the hoist cable and bridle to facilitate disconnection of the stretcher
from the hoist cable.
7) After detaching the stretcher, the deck team tasked with tending the stretcher gives the helicopter
crew the regulatory hand signal to wind in the hoist cable.
8) The Chief Officer signals the helicopter to withdraw and stretcher evacuation is completed.
4.1.5.4 Steps for raising stretcher
1) Stretcher is moved to the hoisting zone with the evacuee securely strapped in with safety helmet
and lifejacket (if his/her condition permits).
2) Chief Officer guides the helicopter to position directly over the hoisting zone.
3) Helicopter crew pays out hoist cable.
4) When instructed to do so by the Chief Officer , two ABs take position beneath the helicopter.
5) Bosun grounds the hook by touching the cable with the static discharge rod and leaves the hoisting
zone.
6) Person tasked with tending the stretcher seizes the hook, attaches it to the bridle, and gives
helicopter crew regulatory hand signal to begin winding in the hoist cable. Until the stretcher lifts off
the deck, the Bosun should hold the bridle up and keep the cables taunt to prevent a sudden jerk
that might injure the evacuee.
7) Person tasked with tending the stretcher guides the stretcher during lift off from the deck then
seizes the tag-line that has been arranged away from the hoisting zone. The tag-line can be a
potential hazard should the helicopter be forced to make an emergency exit.
8) Helicopter changes position and the Winch Op erator winds in the hoist cable.
9) As the stretcher rises, person tasked with tending the stretcher AB must maintain firm tension on
the tag-line to prevent spinning or swinging. Tension on the tag-line should be increased as the
stretcher approaches the helicopter to prevent bumping against the fuselage and then decreased
while the helicopter crew pulls the stretcher into the helicopter.
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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