Sectors

At HCA, we are a helideck industry leader with decades of experience. We use our expert knowledge to deliver quality services to an array of different industries, ensuring the safety of helideck operators and conformity to the necessary regulations.

Oil & Gas

We work with many offshore helidecks and are a partner to the majority of the world’s leading players in offshore oil and gas operations. It is essential to ensure that the correct regulations are being followed on oil rig helidecks and HCA has a long track record in providing support to this area.

We deploy our expertise on fixed platforms, mobile offshore drilling units, drill ships, FPSO assets and tankers, as well as support and survey vessels.

At HCA, we use the UK Civil Aviation Procedure CAP437 or Norwegian Civil Aviation Regulations BSL D 5-1 as the basis for our helideck inspections. As such, we’re responsible for conducting and issuing helideck certifications to all offshore vessels and installations operating in the UKCS and for many vessels in Norwegian waters.

We also inspect and certify helidecks on a global basis to the nationally recognised criteria. These include CAP437 and the international standard for helidecks as laid out in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) publication Annex 14 Volume 2.

Our experts deliver competency assessments for offshore helideck crew in the oil and gas industry. Our Dangerous Goods By Air Awareness e-learning course is highly respected within the industry and is available for helideck operators worldwide.

Renewables

Over the years we have become a leading helideck service provider to the ever-expanding renewables sector. We have partnered with several major players in the industry to ensure their helideck regulations are being met. Our long-standing clients include Ørsted A/S and its 108-turbine West of Duddon Sands Offshore Windfarm in the East Irish Sea.

Helicopter operations play a crucial role in servicing and maintaining wind farm turbines. At HCA, we take pride in offering top-notch services to the industry. Our expert services start with design consultancy for the central landing areas and winching platforms. We then conduct helideck inspections and certification to provide assurance of safe operation. HCA also certifies the helidecks of wind farm support vessels. We have a proven track record of excellence in the industry.

Onshore

At HCA, we provide a highly professional service offering helideck inspections, advice and certification to clients in various onshore locations. These include (but are not limited to) hotels, hospital facilities, sporting venues and private sites.

In the case of hospitals, helicopter landing sites are a critical element of their infrastructure and must remain fit for purpose in terms of physical condition and adhere to safe operating practices.

We routinely audit helicopter landing sites and advise on issues such as markings, clearance space and downdraft obstacles. We also focus on awareness training for ground support personnel who are responsible for ensuring the safety of nearby staff and visitors at the time of any helicopter activity.

We advise on potential obstacles that may impact helideck operations in ever-changing urban landscapes. For example, a new building adjacent to a helicopter landing area may present a hazard that will require the identification of a different route to and from the helipad.

Our helideck consultancy services are applied to private landing sites at hotels, country houses and sporting venues. We provide expert guidance on both temporary and permanent sites.

Super Yachts

At HCA, we provide helideck inspections, advice, and certification to our superyacht clients located worldwide. Our inspections comply with the ruling aviation regulations – Solas requirements for Passenger Ships less than 36 Passengers (Chapter II-2, Reg. 18, part G); LY3 MSN 1792 (M) Latest Edition or REG YC and best industry practice.

HCA is a recognised Aviation Inspection Body to the Red Ensign Group of Shipping Registers that includes Bermuda, British Virgin islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and the UK. It is also an AIB to the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

We regularly provide initial input on the design, layout, and location of superyacht helidecks. We liaise closely with naval architects and shipyards to offer advice and insights that can help avoid problems or costly alterations at a later date.

The position of a helideck on a superyacht is often driven by aesthetics, but there are regulations that need to be adhered to in order for the deck to be fully functional. Potential hazards such as turbulence and motion, issues of obstacle clearance and structure strengthening all need to be carefully factored into the design process.

We also provide Dangerous Goods By Air Awareness Training for superyachts, ensuring that the crew are up-to-date with the latest safety procedures.

There’s always an opportunity to glean extra value from our partnership with HCA. It’s hugely experienced in delivering conventional inspection and certification work, but its capabilities extend well beyond those and into other key areas such as consultancy and training. That breadth of service provision is certainly reassuring.

Operations Director, O&G Sector