Onboard Helideck Safety Training (HLO/HDA)

MCA-accredited training for safe and effective helicopter operations on large yachts.

This onboard course is tailored to each yacht’s environment and Helicopter Operations Manual (HOM), offering a complete and immersive crew training experience delivered directly on board.

HeliRiviera’s instructors are active helicopter pilots with backgrounds in commercial aviation, military operations and superyacht aviation. With over 20 years of experience, they have trained hundreds of crew members on yachts worldwide.

The course and instructors are fully accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and follow the official MGN 695(M) syllabus.

Who is this course for?

• Yachts operating with certified or private helidecks
• Yacht crew involved in helideck and helicopter operations
• New crew members joining mid-season or post-refit
• Crew needing onboard certification or revalidation
• Yachts preparing for high-frequency guest transfers or dual seasons

Course Details

• Location: Delivered onboard your vessel, anywhere worldwide
• Format: Full onboard training – theory and practical operations
• Language: English (French support available)
• Duration: 2 full days, plus 1/2 day if refuelling capacity is available onboard
• Participants: Full deck team, up to 12 participants
• Instructors: 2 qualified, MCA-approved helicopter pilots

Course Content – Helideck Safety Training

Training is conducted onboard and based on your yacht’s configuration, combining theoretical sessions with live drills and flight procedures.

Module 1 – Normal & Emergency Procedures

• Standard operating procedures, communications and emergency checklists
• Hazards, safety zones, weather and deck movement
• Emergency decision-making and casualty handling
• Standard aeronautical signals and hand gestures

Module 2 – Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) / HDA

• Roles and responsibilities of the deck team (HLO, HDA, HRO)
• On-deck communication and crew coordination
• Helideck inspections, pre-arrival briefings and logistics
• Interaction with pilots and aircraft limitations

Module 3 – Helicopter Firefighting

• Firefighting equipment, foam deployment and MARPOL restrictions
• Live fire response scenarios (onboard and theoretical)
• Crew simulations for rapid incident response
• Review of yacht-specific firefighting readiness

Prerequisites

Required for all participants:

STCW Basic Safety Training:

• Personal Survival Techniques – A‑VI/1‑1
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting – A‑VI/1‑2
• Elementary First Aid – A‑VI/1‑3
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities – A‑VI/1‑4

Additional requirement for HLO certification:

Advanced Fire Fighting – STCW A‑VI/3

Booking & Enquiries

Onboard sessions are available year-round and fully customised to your yacht’s itinerary and operational needs.
For availability and pricing, please contact training@heliriviera.com.