Vietnam Job

I went to Vietnam for a job in year 2007, the job is again as the HLO and HSE Officer on board a work barge.

This job is a bit challenging due to I have to certified the barge heli deck to enable chopper land on it. Without the certification the Chopper wouldn't land on that barge heli deck.

I was travel from KL to Singapore to meet my agent and from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City. The agent assist me in applying the Visa for me to enter Vietnam.

I face a little bit stopper on my work progress which is coordination with local Vietnam vendor. I have to work with the vendor through the process, but I'm not the one that contact them. It was arranged by the vessel agent. I need to prepare the heli deck before the barge being towed to Thailand. The barge having a job contract serves as flotilla or accommodation for a new offshore platform module hook up and commissioning project.

I have to conduct heli deck load test, ensure the paint work according  To  CAP437  Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas. Prior to secure the contract the barge was only being used within Vietnam water and not require International Certification form the heli deck. Therefore I need to change a lot of the system to confirm with International Standard.

I am very much occupied with all sort of testing and sending all the test report to the certification body and refer to the checklist to ensure I didn't miss anything. The ongoing refurbishment job within the vessel also conflicting  with my job progress as I have to control access to the heli deck area.

A bit more explanation on the load test, actually I use water weight to do the test, amount of water equal to weight of the expected helicopter to land on the deck is being hold into the water bag and put on top of the heli deck for required duration. This is to ensure the heli deck capable to hold the load properly.

Hammock test in the CAP 437 is a test requirement states that the net should be strong enough to withstand and contain, without damage, a 100 kg weight dropped from a height of 1 meter and the ideal design should produce a ‘hammock’ effect which should securely contain a body falling, rolling or jumping into it, without serious injury. This test also was performed during the period around the heli deck perimeter net.

The painting work i.e size and type of paint/ color also must be actually as per the indication in the CAP437. I have to ask the crew to repaint for some painting which not meet the criteria as per in the guideline.

The lighting also was changed as the old one is not meet the CAP437 requirement. The whole process took about 2 weeks to complete.

Finally I mange to secure the Certificate for the Heli deck to be operational internationally. Then our barge being towed to our work location within Thai water.

HSE and (HLO) Helicopter Landing Officer

I will share my experience performing dual function job as an HSE an HLO at the same time this time.

In order to perform the duty as HLO (Helicopter Landing Officer) the person need to undergone HLO training at the certified training center. In my case I took the training at QISC (Qatar International Safety Center)  https://www.facebook.com/qisc.lgtc  for 4 days training. In the training candidate will learn on how to handle helicopter operation offshore and how to respond in case of emergency occur. Off course there will be an assessment to evaluate the competency of the candidate and I managed to complete the training successfully.

The important thing that HLO need to take care is on the chopper manifest and schedule. Normally the Radio Operator will have those details. It is very important so that HLO can plan the briefing and call for the HLA (Helideck Assistant) team to standby in due time.

Routine job as the HLO is getting the chopper schedule and manifest on every morning and make subsequent adjustment to the manifest. Sometime the expected passenger might not proceed board the chopper due to operational issue etc... Prior to the arrival of chopper, HLO need to gather the outgoing passenger in the briefing room and ensure them watch the chopper safety briefing video.

Other routine task involving maintaining the operational condition of the heli deck and its accessories. The helideck must free from any debris, oil leakage and and other foreign object which can affect the chopper operation. Imagine if the debris being sucked into the chopper engine which can cause engine failure and then a disaster.

Other tan that, the emergency response equipment such as fire hydrant with foam system, lighting, windsock etc need to be maintained in working condition.

HLO also need to ensure HLA team training record is up to date and send those about to expire for the refresher training.

Another piece of equipment that need to be maintained is the walkie talkie for the communication between Radio Operator, HLO and the chopper Pilot. It must be checked for functionality and fully charged for the operation.

Guiding the passenger on the right path also very important during the operation because the no go zone is very dangerous as the blade is rotating and will chop anything within the radius. The HLA will assist in handling the luggage for incoming and outgoing passenger.

Upon approaching the location the chopper will update their position . Normally once they call for landing clearance the chopper is visible already. The Pilot will communicate with the HLO for landing clearance. 30 minutes and 15 minutes before the expected arrival HLO will make round on the helideck to ensure no debris, no oil leakage or foreign object then standby for the landing. The ERT (Emergency Response Team) will on standby at the fire hydrant before the landing, during the landing and before take off. They only allowed to leave their position once the chopper airborne.

The outgoing passenger being made ready to board the chopper and  on standby beneath the heli deck.

Once the chopper landed, after the pilot give the thumbs up to approach (means the rotor blade is in standby position) the hLO will meet the Pilot and exchange the manifest. HLO will see the manifest and will know how many passengers for that installation. Normally the information is available before the operation which is from the radio operator, but need to double check for conformity. Luggage with the that installation name on the tag will be unloaded together with the passenger.

HLO need to ensure sufficient life jacket for each out going passenger which must be don prior embarking the chopper. Normally HLO will count the number of outgoing passenger and add up life jacket for the extra crew on the outgoing passenger number if it is more than that incoming passenger. Th incoming passenger will pass the life jacket to the outgoing passenger whom waiting underneath the helideck.

HLO will check all outgoing passenger don the life jacket properly before let them approaching the chopper on the safe guided path. HLO will then close the door and ensure the door being securely locked by the passenger whom sit next to the door. HLO then will check that outgoing luggage/cargo being uploaded and the door securely closed.

HLO must ensure the HLA team safely leave the helideck to their standby area, HLO also will leave as well and also stay at the standby area.

Finally HLO will give thumbs up signal to the Pilot as a green light for him to take off.