Notice No. 7
                                                                             September 5,1992

 

PLATFORM HELIDECK CLOSING PROCEDURES

There was a recent incident in the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf Region (POCSR) involving a helicopter landing on a helideck while natural gas venting operations were being conducted on the platform. Subsequently, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) contacted all operators in the POCSR concerning their procedures for signaling that a platform helideck is closed to helicopter traffic. As a result of our inquiry, it was determined that there is a variety of procedures being used on POCSR facilities.

In the interest of personnel safety, the MMS is investigating this matter and may be issuing new requirements for the standardization of procedures to indicate that helidecks are closed. Until such requirements are issued, please ensure that all platforms follow the existing helideck closing procedures when necessary. All platform and helicopter personnel involved with flight operations should be made aware of these procedures. Any changes to these procedures should be immediately brought to the attention of all platform personnel .