Marine Operations
Search and Rescue Drill in the Alboran Sea / Safe Helicopter Operations Helicopters are frequently used for various maritime operations including crew changes, pilot embarkation/ disembarkation and emergency medical lift offs. Modern day, powerful and reliable helicopters can save lives as they can be used to conduct speedy medical evacuations. Helicopter operations can also cause By Alkiviadis damage to equipment and injury to Polychronakis the unprepared and the uniformed. One should never underestimate the power of the helicopter’s downdraft. Loose equipment near the landing / winching area is a great hazard to the ship’s crew and to the helicopter itself. There have been cases of loose equipment damaging the rotor blades of the helicopter. With reference to the very important circular by Rightship, “RS-01:2019 Helicopter Operations High Potential Near Miss Incidents’’, we have noted an increase in near misses caused by unsecured items in the vicinity of the helicopter landing area. One such example is a loose and unpressurised fire hose picked up by the helicopter’s downdraft. One case of a successful helicopter operation was the Search & Rescue drill conducted jointly by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) of Almeria, Spain and M/V Coral Island. M/V Coral Island was contacted by the MRCC, Almeria on October 5th, 2020 at 15:30 UTC and requested to carry out a Search and Rescue drill. The ship was in laden condition and underway to the discharging port of Tema, Ghana. Captain Willie G. Mendones, the Master of M/V Coral Island, contacted the Head Office to advise about the proposed drill and accepted the invitation of the Almeria MRCC. All preparations were made according to the Emergency Response Plan and the Master gave the green light to proceed with the drill. The drill scenario involved an injured crew member in need of immediate evacuation and health care. The ship’s crew was requested to be ready to participate as required. The engine crew were placed on standby in the engine room for the required maneuvering. The helicopter approached the vessel on the port side of the main deck and commenced the winching operation by lowering the guide line rope. The rescuer landed on board the vessel to secure the stretcher with the dummy. The rescuer was thereafter lifted by the helicopter which cleared the vessel. MRCC Almeria contacted the vessel to advise that the drill was completed successfully and to extend their congratulations to the ship’s crew for their professional assistance.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Captain Willie G. Mendones and his crew for the professionalism and resilience that they exhibited during the Search & Rescue drill and wish all ships calm seas & safe voyages.
Photographs of the Search & Rescue drill kindly provided by Captain Willie G. Mendones
Issue 74-December 2020
9
